Wrexham's Great Art Treasure's Exhibition 1876

1876 was Wrexham's year of wonder!

The Football Association of Wales was formed at the Wynnstay Hotel, the National Eisteddfod was held here for the first time and resulted in the first ever 'Black Bard's Chair', Ruabon Road Cemetery opened, the first tram system opened between Johnstown and Pen-y-Bryn, George Pinder's Continental Circus came to town, the first Horticultural Show in 10 years was held, and the biggest event of the year was the four month long
​Great Art Treasures and Industrial Exhibition!

The main exhibition hall at the Wrexham Art Treasures Exhibition 1876

​​The Great Art Treasures and Industrial exhibition was opened on 22nd July 1876 and for four months, from 10am - 10pm seven days a week, visitors could see over 1000 paintings by renowned artist such as Gainsborough, Wilson, Van Dyk, Reubens and Turner, rare antiquities from around the world, stalls from local businesses selling uniquely Wrexham items and fine wares, daily musical performances and lectures, and an industrial annex showcasing industrial innovations of the day.

A map of the Exhibition

​The entrance to the exhibition was the newly built Argyle Archway opposite the thatched Horse and Jockey pub on Hope Street. Constructed by William Low (designer of the original Channel Tunnel) in 1875 as a dowry for his daughter, the archway was fitted with turnstiles and led to a covered passageway with cloakrooms and dining halls, whilst the buildings either side of the arch were set up as museums. At the end of the archway you entered the grand Entrance Hall, decorated with tropical plants and tapestries on the walls, and beyond that the massive pavilion of the Main Exhibition Hall. The glass roof was held up by 16 pillars painted pale blue and maroon and atop the base of each one was a bust of an eminent sculptor. Joining opposite pillars across the roof were triangular boards, at the centre of each were portraits of composers and artists.

Some highlights from the Exhibition:

• Opened on 22nd July by the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.
• Queen Victoria was a the patron.
• Entry was 1 shilling, or a season ticket was 1 guinea.
• A collection of antiquities contributed by Mr J Lord Bowes including a large selection of Japanese Satsuma pottery, Japanese garments and African weapons of war.
• Significant historical artefacts such as the The Westminster Gold Torque and the Caergwrle Bowl - a bronze age bowl found in a bog in Caerwgrle in 1823 that depicts a seafaring boat in gold and tin.

The Caergwrle Bowl

Wrexham Taylor's Quilt/Coverlet

• On display was the Wrexham Taylor's Coverlet/Quilt, made by James Williams, which took 10 years and 4,525 pieces of fabric to make.
• Rare manuscripts including a 12th century copy of works by the Venerable Bede, and a royal patent granted by Queen Victoria for an annual eisteddfod of Wales.
• The industrial annex showcased local industry such as Brymbo Bricks, a vertical steam engine built and exhibited by the newly opened Powell and Co., and a glass blowing demonstration by a Mr Burrows which cost 2p extra to watch.
• A Fairy Oracle would show your future partner (only to be used by the unmarried!).
• Daily organ recitals by the highly regarded Mr Harris.
• Performances by the 106th Regimental Band every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 2-4pm.
• Daily grand instrumental concerts by the Exhibition Band.

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• Mr J.S. Edisbury, Wrexham High Street Pharmacist, created a special perfume for the exhibition called 'Wrexham Bouquet' which featured a picture of St Giles Church on the bottle. He also had on display a figurative fountain showering forth rose water, a Crooke's Radiometer, and 'Wrexham Sauce' which was a big hit in 1876.
• Mr Kendrick, Wrexham High Street Confectioner, was selling famous Wrexham Gingerbread, which was widely considered to be superior to all others in the UK and held a royal warrant to supply Queen Victoria.
• Mr E Smith, Wrexham High Street Draper, was showcasing his speciality in Black Silk.
• Mr Jackson and Son - fine coach builders of Wrexham - had two of their coaches on display.
• Mr N.S. Scotcher, an established Wrexham tradesman, was showcasing a snuff box made from part of the quarter deck of the HMS Victory upon which Lord Nelson fell at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Label for Wrexham Sauce

Every competitor and exhibitor at the Exhibition was presented with a commemorative medal.

Wrexham Art Treasures Exhibition 1876 Commemorative Medal

Financially the Exhibition was a financial flop. It cost the organisers about £1200 to put on but only made about £6000 of it back. Part of the blame for the lower than expected visitor numbers was placed upon the owners of the factories and mines around Wrexham for not giving the workers time off to come and see it. Although other critics say that there was simply a lack of interest in arts and antiquities within the working class of the area. It was still considered a success however and provided a good boost to the local economy particularly for the traders and craftspeople selling at the Exhibition. 

The Exhibition was the put together by the great antiquarian William Chaffers - the Exhibitions General Manager - along with the following group of benefactors and contributors: Hugh Grosvenor, First Duke of Westminster; Denbighshire’s longstanding MP, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn; Denbighshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Major William Cornwallis West; Former Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone; Lord Penrhyn. Sir Robert Cunliffe; and, of course, William Low.

Although largely forgotten nowadays the Exhibition is a fascinating piece of Wrexham's cultural and industrial heritage and must have been quite a spectacular event to see!

For even more information about the exhibition check out the following articles:
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https://www.love-wrexham.com/2019/11/19/wrexham-art-treasures-and-industrial-exhibition/

https://www.davidebsworth.com/wrexhams-great-art-treasures-exhibition-1876