Collections - Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
Source: https://ushaw.org/collections
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Collections - Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
Our Collections
Ushaw is home to an important and diverse permanent collection of fine art and
artefacts.
Library
Ushaw’s Library contains over 50,000 books together with a wealth of archive material relating to our history, architectural design and alumni.
Important holdings within the Library include the
Nuremburg Chronicl
e
of 1493, Isaac Newton’s
Principia Mathematica
and a first edition of Charles Darwin’s
On the Origin of Species
.
Additionally, there are over 60 incunabula (books printed before 1501). Eamon Duffy, the historian, has described Ushaw’s literary holdings as ‘unquestionably the most important Catholic library in Britain.’
While the Big Library is not open to the public at present, you can still discover highlights from our collections in the Library Gallery, or by joining one of our monthly
Library Experiences.
View Exhibitions
Image: Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514), Nuremburg Chronicle, 1493
Catholic
Material Culture
Grace, Piety and Memory: The Material Culture of British Catholics 1534–1850
Since 2023, a British Art Network-funded project has been exploring the rich material culture of British Catholics between 1534 and 1850. Through dedicated research and a series of public events, the project has uncovered stories and artefacts that shed light on Catholic life and heritage during this period.
A downloadable booklet summarising the findings is now available and includes case studies from Ushaw and other key Catholic heritage sites.
Download the booklet
To learn more about the research group and their work, visit the
British Art Network website
.
Paintings
Many of Ushaw’s finest paintings are on permanent display on the walls of Main
House’s central corridors, in the Parlour, the Refectory and in the Chapels.
Of particular note are the works by Franz von Rohden (1817-1903), all painted in Rome in the nineteenth century and a fine portrait of Ushaw President Charles Newsham by John Rogers Herbert (1810-1890).
This work is enclosed within a highly decorated frame designed by A.W.N Pugin.
Image: Franz von Rohden (1817-1903), The Crucifixion, 1852, oil on canvas
Significance
During the nineteenth century, important objects were acquired for their aesthetic appeal or for their historical significance.
Others were purchased or donated to Ushaw to be used as teaching aids.
Many of our important paintings and sculptures are on permanent display within Main House and the Chapels. Other objects, when not on temporary display, are housed in secure store rooms.
Sculpture
The majority of Ushaw’s significant sculptures were produced by Karl Hoffmann (1816-1872), colloquially known as the Sculptor of Ushaw.
In common with the paintings by von Rohden, the works were executed in Rome before being transported to Ushaw.
Works including Our Lady of Clemency and St Joseph with the Lily can be viewed in the Chapels.
Image: Karl Hoffmann (1816-1872), Our Lady of Help, 1855, marble
Church Plate
Ushaw’s collection of metalware includes chalices, patens, monstrances, reliquaries and sanctuary lamps.
One of the earliest pieces in the collection is a chalice designed for Pope Paul V who was in office from 1605 to 1621.
Also of interest is a mid-seventeenth century chalice used in clandestine Catholic services during the time the religion was outlawed in England.
The piece can be unscrewed into three separate components for ease of transportation.
Image: The Antwerp Monstrance, c.1670, silver
Textiles
Ushaw has an extensive collection of vestments encompassing copes, dalmatics, chasubles and stoles, some of which continue to be worn during services.
Of great significance is the chasuble known as the Westminster Vestment, created between 1460 and 1490.
This finely embroidered textile piece is believed to have been in the wardrobe of Richard III.
Image: Westminster Vestment, 1460-1490
Scientific instruments
Science played an important role in the lives of the students at Ushaw.
In addition to the significant volumes held in the Library, a small collection of scientific instruments was also acquired.
A dedicated science laboratory, designed by Edward Welby Pugin was constructed to the north east of Main House in 1854.
This finely proportioned building can still be seen today.
Image: Orrery, 1794
Stained glass
Ushaw’s numerous chapels and the Refectory are lit with fine stained glass windows.
Of note is the magnificent and richly detailed Great West Window in the Antechapel.
Designed by A.W.N Pugin, this was originally the East Window in the first St Cuthbert’s Chapel.
The windows in the Chapel of St Charles Borromeo illustrate aspects of the saint’s life including an unsuccessful attempt on his life with a blunderbuss in 1569.
Images: Chapel of St Charles Borromeo, stained glass window, 1857-1859
If you have a question about Ushaw’s historical library, archives and collections please email your enquiry to:
[email protected]
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Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Woodland Road, Ushaw Moor, DH7 7DW
Registered Charity Number 527408.
Website hosted by
Krystal
.
Discover
About Ushaw
House & Chapels
Park & Gardens
History
Collections
Faith & Spirituality
What’s On
Events
Exhibitions
Your Visit
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Our Collections
Ushaw is home to an important and diverse permanent collection of fine art and
artefacts.
Library
Ushaw’s Library contains over 50,000 books together with a wealth of archive material relating to our history, architectural design and alumni.
Important holdings within the Library include the
Nuremburg Chronicl
e
of 1493, Isaac Newton’s
Principia Mathematica
and a first edition of Charles Darwin’s
On the Origin of Species
.
Additionally, there are over 60 incunabula (books printed before 1501). Eamon Duffy, the historian, has described Ushaw’s literary holdings as ‘unquestionably the most important Catholic library in Britain.’
While the Big Library is not open to the public at present, you can still discover highlights from our collections in the Library Gallery, or by joining one of our monthly
Library Experiences.
View Exhibitions
Image: Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514), Nuremburg Chronicle, 1493
Catholic
Material Culture
Grace, Piety and Memory: The Material Culture of British Catholics 1534–1850
Since 2023, a British Art Network-funded project has been exploring the rich material culture of British Catholics between 1534 and 1850. Through dedicated research and a series of public events, the project has uncovered stories and artefacts that shed light on Catholic life and heritage during this period.
A downloadable booklet summarising the findings is now available and includes case studies from Ushaw and other key Catholic heritage sites.
Download the booklet
To learn more about the research group and their work, visit the
British Art Network website
.
Paintings
Many of Ushaw’s finest paintings are on permanent display on the walls of Main
House’s central corridors, in the Parlour, the Refectory and in the Chapels.
Of particular note are the works by Franz von Rohden (1817-1903), all painted in Rome in the nineteenth century and a fine portrait of Ushaw President Charles Newsham by John Rogers Herbert (1810-1890).
This work is enclosed within a highly decorated frame designed by A.W.N Pugin.
Image: Franz von Rohden (1817-1903), The Crucifixion, 1852, oil on canvas
Significance
During the nineteenth century, important objects were acquired for their aesthetic appeal or for their historical significance.
Others were purchased or donated to Ushaw to be used as teaching aids.
Many of our important paintings and sculptures are on permanent display within Main House and the Chapels. Other objects, when not on temporary display, are housed in secure store rooms.
Sculpture
The majority of Ushaw’s significant sculptures were produced by Karl Hoffmann (1816-1872), colloquially known as the Sculptor of Ushaw.
In common with the paintings by von Rohden, the works were executed in Rome before being transported to Ushaw.
Works including Our Lady of Clemency and St Joseph with the Lily can be viewed in the Chapels.
Image: Karl Hoffmann (1816-1872), Our Lady of Help, 1855, marble
Church Plate
Ushaw’s collection of metalware includes chalices, patens, monstrances, reliquaries and sanctuary lamps.
One of the earliest pieces in the collection is a chalice designed for Pope Paul V who was in office from 1605 to 1621.
Also of interest is a mid-seventeenth century chalice used in clandestine Catholic services during the time the religion was outlawed in England.
The piece can be unscrewed into three separate components for ease of transportation.
Image: The Antwerp Monstrance, c.1670, silver
Textiles
Ushaw has an extensive collection of vestments encompassing copes, dalmatics, chasubles and stoles, some of which continue to be worn during services.
Of great significance is the chasuble known as the Westminster Vestment, created between 1460 and 1490.
This finely embroidered textile piece is believed to have been in the wardrobe of Richard III.
Image: Westminster Vestment, 1460-1490
Scientific instruments
Science played an important role in the lives of the students at Ushaw.
In addition to the significant volumes held in the Library, a small collection of scientific instruments was also acquired.
A dedicated science laboratory, designed by Edward Welby Pugin was constructed to the north east of Main House in 1854.
This finely proportioned building can still be seen today.
Image: Orrery, 1794
Stained glass
Ushaw’s numerous chapels and the Refectory are lit with fine stained glass windows.
Of note is the magnificent and richly detailed Great West Window in the Antechapel.
Designed by A.W.N Pugin, this was originally the East Window in the first St Cuthbert’s Chapel.
The windows in the Chapel of St Charles Borromeo illustrate aspects of the saint’s life including an unsuccessful attempt on his life with a blunderbuss in 1569.
Images: Chapel of St Charles Borromeo, stained glass window, 1857-1859
If you have a question about Ushaw’s historical library, archives and collections please email your enquiry to:
[email protected]
Plan Your Visit
What’s On at Ushaw
Privacy Policy
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
What’s On at Ushaw
News
Privacy Policy
Join Our Mailing List
Threads
X-twitter
Tiktok
Youtube
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Woodland Road, Ushaw Moor, DH7 7DW
Registered Charity Number 527408.
Website hosted by
Krystal
.
Discover
About Ushaw
House & Chapels
Park & Gardens
History
Collections
Faith & Spirituality
What’s On
Events
Exhibitions
Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Group Visits
School Visits
FAQs
Stay With Us
More
News
Venue Hire
Get Involved
Sponsors & Partners
Recruitment
Sustainability
Tickets
Subscribe to our mailing list
Your Visit
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Admission
Group Visits
School Visits
FAQs