Stained Glass Museum, Ely

Stained Glass Museum
Established1972 (1972)
LocationEly Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
TypeStained glass museum
Collection size
More than 1,000 stained glass panels
FoundersTrenchard Cox, Martin Harrison
Chair of Board of Trustees
Mark Hosea
CuratorDr Jasmine Allen
Websitestainedglassmuseum.com

The Stained Glass Museum is the United Kingdom's only museum dedicated exclusively to the art of stained glass.[1] Located in Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, it houses a nationally significant collection of stained glass panels, designs, materials, and tools that illustrate the development of stained glass from the 13th century to the present day.[1][2]

History

The Stained Glass Museum was founded in 1972 as a repository for stained glass panels and windows at risk of destruction, particularly those removed from redundant churches and other threatened buildings.[3] A steering committee initially chaired by Sir Trenchard Cox, former Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and then Margot Eates, oversaw the project. Art historian Martin Harrison was employed as curator.[3]

The museum opened to the public on 30 March 1979 in the north triforium of Ely Cathedral.[3] Following later redevelopment, the collection was moved to the museum's current location in the cathedral's south triforium, opening to the public in April 2000.[4] The permanent display presents a chronological arrangement of over 125 glass panels and other materials illustrating the evolution of stained glass techniques and styles over a period of 800 years.[2] Loans from partner institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Collection, have been added to the museum's own holdings.[1]

The museum mounts temporary exhibitions and runs an active learning programme of workshops, talks and family activities.[1]

King Charles III is Patron of the Stained Glass Museum, having accepted the appointment in 1999 when Prince of Wales, during the museum's 25th anniversary Appeal.[5]

In 2026 the museum's collection was awarded Designated status by Arts Council England, recognising its national significance.[6][7]

Collection

The collection of the Stained Glass Museum comprises over 1,000 stained glass panels, both complete and fragmentary. While the collection was founded with the specific purpose of rescuing works from closed religious and secular buildings across the British Isles, its mandate has grown to include acquisitions and gifts of significant works that are representative of the development of the art form.[4]

In addition to stained glass panels, the museum preserves preparatory designs, cartoons, and maquettes as well as tools and materials associated with the design and manufacture of stained glass.[8][1]

The following is a selection of works listed by date, that are either preserved in the collection of the Stained Glass Museum, or on long-term loan to the institution.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "About Us". The Stained Glass Museum. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 "The Stained Glass Museum". Art Fund. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "History". The Stained Glass Museum. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 "The Stained Glass Museum". Museums.EU. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Our Team". The Stained Glass Museum. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Stained Glass Museum Achieves National Recognition of Excellence". The Stained Glass Museum, Ely. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "Ely Stained Glass Museum collection awarded national recognition". Ely Standard. 13 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Stained Glass Museum". Visit Stained Glass. Retrieved 11 September 2025.

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