In London on 21 July 1897, the Prince of Wales opened the Tate Gallery.

It was the sugar magnate, Sir Henry Tate, who paid for the new gallery to be built, with an agreement that the UK government would pay for the other costs. Henry Tate also agreed to donate his own private collection of artwork to the new gallery.

To mark this major milestone in the cultural life of London and the UK, here are some newspaper articles (with illustrations) and letters from July 1897, that report on the grand opening of the Tate Gallery.

London Daily News – Wednesday 21 July 1897

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970721/029/0005

London Daily News – Thursday 22 July 1897

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970722/006/0002

London Daily News – Thursday 22 July 1897

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970722/006/0002

London Daily News – Thursday 22 July 1897

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970722/006/0002

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette – Thursday 22 July 1897

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000221/18970722/052/0005