AN historic building in Broadway, which currently stands empty, looks set to become a museum.
The 17th century Tudor House, once the home of H W Keil Antiques, is hoping to establish a permanent exhibition with the renowned Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
A steering group chaired by county councillor Liz Eyre has been working to bring Ashmolean art and archaeology to the Cotswold village.
Coun Eyre said: “For the last two-and-a-half years I have been working to bring together a generous offering by a resident of Tudor House, well known as H W Keil Antiques, to use it in a sustainable way as a community museum. This could add great value to Broadway’s economic development.
“We have a way to go yet because of fund-raising but this could very exciting.”
The new exhibition would display furniture, fabrics and silver likely to match the age of the building.
John Keil, whose father owned the former antique shop at Tudor House, said: “We are very happy for the Ashmolean Museum to use Tudor House. We think it is the best use for the building we can give. My wife and I support the Ashmolean Museum. I offered them the building. Everyone is very keen. It is hoped it will open late next year.”
The original Ashmolean Museum was built from 1678 to 1683 to house the cabinet of curiosities Elias Ashmole gave the university in 1677.
This first collection included the stuffed body of the last Dodo ever brought to Europe, but by 1755 it was so moth-eaten all except its head and one claw were destroyed.
A public meeting to launch the venture will take place at Lifford Hall from 7.30pm on Wednesday, December 7.
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