22/05/2026
We are now entering our third week of Local & Community History Month, and we have a collection chosen by Libby, a Senior Archives Officer. She has chosen Accession 407 "The Papers of George Willott, former Principal of Walsall School of Art”.
The collection dates from 1919-1980’s and was donated to us from the Walsall College of Art. It is made up of photographs, notebooks and sketch books illustrating a wide range of subjects. A couple of sketch books contain portraits, botanicals, and local scenes, and others concentrate on motifs, architecture and textiles.
George was born in 1902 in Macclesfield and was known for his eccentric choice of silk ties and hats. After qualifying from the Royal College of Art, he moved to Walsall in 1926 as Chief Assistant Master at the School of Art, Goodall Street, where he remained until 1966. He was responsible for the town’s first illuminations on Victory Night 1945. When he was made Principal, the School was 190 strong, when he retired, this had increased to 800!
My favourite part of the collection holds some of the first prospectuses from Edwardian era including photographs of the classes that took place there, but the exhibit also includes, some of his sketches.
Why not pay us a visit at the Lichfield Street Hub and view these intriguing exhibitions for yourself.
