Timeline of Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

1876, Christmas Day – Merton & Annie Russell-Cotes arrive in Bournemouth to take possession of the Bath Hotel

1878, Bath Hotel closes for refurbishment

1879, John Thomas commissioned to create the ‘Japanese Drawing Room’ at the Royal Bath Hotel

1880, the hotel re-opens as the Royal Bath Hotel

1897, April – earliest known plans drawn of East Cliff Hall

1898 - work begins on the site

1901, 15th July – East Cliff Hall is completed and given to Annie as a birthday present by Merton

1907, 6th November – announcement of gift of house and collections to form Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

1908, John Thomas referred to as “the late John Thomas” in the Deed of Gift

1908, 1st February – formal gift of East Cliff Hall (Annie and Merton’s wedding anniversary)

1908, 15th July – Annie and Merton made Freemen of the Borough (Annie’s birthday)

1909, 5th June – formal opening as the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum by the Lord Mayor of London

1909, 22nd July – Merton knighted by Edward VII

1912 – Annie starts planning the art gallery extension

1916 - 1919 – Art Galleries built

1919, 1st February – Princess Beatrice formally opens the art galleries (Annie and Merton’s wedding anniversary)

1920, 17th April – Annie dies

1921, 27th January – Merton dies and Trustees assume their duties

1921, Richard Quick appointed curator by the Trustees

1922, 10th March – Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum opens fully to the public

1998 – 2001, Heritage Lottery Fund restores East Cliff Hall to its original splendour