Cliffe Castle was originally the home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield. Completed in the 1880s the building was funded by the Butterfield family’s industrial empire which included wool textile mills and a shipping business that took British goods to Europe, America and China.
The completed house was a showpiece of international art and French decoration. It was the scene of many glittering social events. Butterfield family connections included the Roosevelt’s of America and members of the court of Napoleon III.
In the 1950s the Castle was bought by Sir Bracewell Smith, a local man who became Lord Mayor of London. Sir Bracewell used architect Sir Albert Richardson to turn Cliffe Castle’s gardens into a grand public park and remodelled the Castle to be a free museum for the people of the district.
In recent years Cliffe Castle has undergone a major restoration. Visitors can see sparkling Victorian rooms and furniture, paintings, and decorative art. Special galleries deal with natural history, archaeology and social history, all of which can be seen on our visit along with the internationally important display of stained glass by Morris and Co. The Castle also hosts changing exhibitions from their collections and the community.Family areas ensure that there is something for all ages.
For more information visit the website www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/cliffe-castle-museum
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This committee is responsible for finding new members and retaining existing members.
moreThis committee deals with all local projects in our community.
moreComing under Community this part of the group exists to undertake environmental projects on behalf of the club.
moreThis committee deals with international projects and disaster relief work.
moreThis committee provides the link with Rotary Internationals main charitable trust which primarily deals with projects having a global nature.
moreRotary is not just about doing good deeds but also about enjoying yourself and this committee organises social activities. This page contains an archive of some of our activities.
moreThis committee works with the other committees to help them raise funds for their individual projects to support charities locally, nationally and internationally.
moreThis is the vehicle that donates the money that we have raised to the various good causes that we support. Its official name is The Rotary Club Of Bradford Blaize Trust Fund and its registered number with the Charity Commission is 514621.
moreThis committee organises social events and deals with the day to day running of the club.
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