The future of Tolson Museum is growing increasingly uncertain.
The landmark building in Ravensknowle Park on Wakefield Road in Dalton will continue as a museum until the end of this year and then Kirklees Council has confirmed it has no plans for its future.
The museum’s full title is Tolson Memorial Museum as it was donated to the people of Huddersfield out of tragedy and is recognised nationally as a war memorial.
It was gifted to the people of Huddersfield under a strict legal covenant that it must be used as a museum or for educational or recreational purposes.
Community group the Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle say the museum will be open until the end of 2026 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12noon to 5pm.
But they add: “It is unclear what will happen in 2027.’’
When the museum closes its collections will eventually move to the new Huddersfield Museum and Art Gallery which will be in the old main library. Work on that is due to start this year with the museum and art gallery set to open in 2029.
Huddersfield Hub put the following questions to Kirklees Council:
Will the museum close from the start of 2027?
What are the plans for the building afterwards?
Does it need repairs? If so, what needs doing, how much will it cost and is there a budget for it?
The statement they came back with simply read: “Tolson Museum is a much-loved local landmark with great historic significance for Kirklees.
“That significance is reflected in various legal protections associated with the building. No decisions have been taken on its long-term future.”
The Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle say Ravensknowle Park is managed by the Kirklees Parks department, adding: “This will continue though sadly now at a reduced level. This has meant some litter bins have been taken away and the grass is cut less often.
“The two bowling greens are now managed privately and the Heritage Memorial Garden to the rear of the museum is maintained by volunteers.’’
A very successful Junior Park Run takes place in Ravensknowle Park every Sunday morning, run by volunteers.
Ravensknowle Hall and extensive grounds were given to Huddersfield by Legh Tolson in memory of his two nephews, 2nd Lt Robert Huntriss Tolson and his brother, 2nd Lt James Martin Tolson.
Robert, 31, from Dalton was killed on July 1, 1916 – the first day of the Battle of the Somme – while leading troops from the 15th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment over the top.
James joined the 74th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery in April 1916 but was wounded near Ypres in February 1917 and returned to England for hospital treatment.
He went back to France but was gassed in June 1918 yet returned to his battery in July 1918.
He was just 20 when he was killed near Cambrai on October 20, 1918, just weeks before the war finished.
The brothers were two of six sons and daughters of Whiteley and Jessy Tolson, of Oaklands on Greenhead Lane in Dalton.
In 1919, Whiteley’s brother, Legh Tolson, who was living at Ravensknowle Hall, made a gift of his house to Huddersfield Corporation as a tribute and lasting memorial to his two nephews.
This become the Tolson Museum which was officially opened in 1922.
According to the website Ware Memorials Online the entire building is classed as a war memorial and you can read more about it at https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/72782/
Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.
