Chair of the Month for July is a homecoming story!

July’s chair is this large ‘Gladstone’ armchair with brown leather upholstery and carved frame. Made from timber felled by William Gladstone (who was Prime Minister four times during Queen Victoria’s reign) it was presented to the High Wycombe Liberal Club in 1884, along with a smaller partner chair made from the same timber. The Liberal Club gave both to Wycombe Museum in 1980.

Forty six years later, these chairs are now returning to their old home.

In just a matter of days, Wycombe Museum opens its second site, the Chair Discovery Centre, on St Mary Street. The Chair Discovery Centre is our brand new chair store, housed in what was previously The Liberal Club’s ballroom, above what is now High Wycombe Social Club.

The Gladstone chair and its pair are part of the collection of almost 250 chairs stored at the Chair Discovery Centre, along with the Museum’s extensive furniture archives.

The Chair Discovery Centre opens on Friday 17 July. Visitors will be welcomed free of charge on regular open days through the year. Check the Chair Discovery Centre‘s home page for the latest information on how to visit.