Our fine art collection consists of watercolours, drawings and prints which cannot be on permanent display as they will become damaged from too much exposure to light. We display the collection in themed exhibitions but sometimes your favourites may not be out. If there is a particular work you are coming in especially to see, please call or email in advance to check whether it is on display.
Current Exhibitions and Displays:
LGBTQIA+ Lives & Leadership in Organisations & Communities Display
6 – 16 November
The Higgins Foyer
Free display , no booking required,
Curated by Dr Alex Baird of the University of Bedfordshire and poet Katie O'Pray, this display considers the journeys of leaders within the LGBTQIA+ community. You are invited to read their stories and to consider the values, qualities and vantage point that LGBTQIA+ leaders bring to leadership. A creative writing workshop on 9 November, led by Katie O'Pray, will offer you a space to reflect on and respond on this display, booking recommended.
Stanny’s Stus: Images of Bedford Physical Training College
6 November 2025 - 31 May 2026
Sir William Harpur Gallery – Free Entry
‘Stanny’s Stus’ – A Glimpse into Women's Sporting and Social History.
In 1903, Margaret Stansfeld founded the Bedford Physical Training College, an all-female institution located on Lansdowne Road. Locally, its students and staff were affectionately known as ‘Stanny’s Stus.’ Many of them were enthusiastic photographers who captured their everyday experiences, documenting aspects of sport, leisure, and teaching in Bedfordshire.
These photographs offer valuable insights into the social and sporting lives of women in the early 20th century. Thanks to recent digitisation efforts, these historic images, part of the Bedford Physical Education Archive, are now being exhibited publicly for the first time outside of their home at the University of Bedfordshire.
'Covent Garden', 1967 © The Estate of Edward Bawden
Edward Bawden Gallery - Free Entry
Edward Bawden has, quite rightly, been described as ‘The Master of the Linocut’. This new exhibition, drawn from the Edward Bawden Archive, shows the inventiveness and skill involved in printing some of his most famous works through original lino blocks, sketches and the marvellous prints themselves.
For further information about the Edward Bawden Archive Session and exhibition tours see Talks and Tours
Ukrainian Folk Art and Heritage Exhibition
5 April 2025 to 19 April 2026
Outside Settlement Gallery, Collectors Gallery and Dressing Room
Join us for an exhibition of beautiful, colourful, regional antique heritage items associated with Ukraine, curated by Daria Bilan of the Ukrainian Culture Club. It will showcase costume and textiles, artwork, photography and historic folk heritage themed items.
Throughout the year exhibits will change with individual collections being displayed and various crafts, such as Hutsul wood craft and Petrykivka art. Ukrainian folk art and textile workshops will be run during the year.
©Viktoria Tymoshenko
________________________________________________________
Bedfordshire Police: A history
19 July 2025 - 11 May 2026
Somewhere in England Foyer, First Floor
Come and discover the history of our local Bedfordshire Police forces curated by the Bedfordshire Police Historical and Museum Society. The society is run by volunteers who carry out research and maintain a display at Bedfordshire Police Headquarters. The bulk of the collection is housed at the former Police Station at Kempston, visits by appointment only. The display at The Higgins will highlight objects and their stories collected over the decades.
Stamp Collecting Posters
The Hobby of Kings by Bedford Philatelic Society
29 July – February
Staircase Display
King George V started the royal stamp collection and this has been continued down the centuries. Since the first stamp, the Penny Black, people young and old have been collecting these small sticky squares of paper. Our staircase display of stamp and postal related posters from the Bedford Philatelic Society collection has been curated by Richard Hart. It shares a broad range of significant postal themed material for all ages to enjoy. The Bedford Philatelic Society, formed in 1944, continues to meet once a month at Bunyan Meeting Church, Bedford, they welcome interest from new members.
Let's Be Open About Mental Health to Break the Stigma
Castle Lane Cases Outside The Higgins Bedford, Free Entry
The Higgins Bedford has worked with the Let's Be Open About Mental Health campaign to showcase this display of poems, artwork and messages made by local people, to give encouragment to people who may be struggling with their mental health at this current time.
Find out more about the display here >
Poland: in Bedford
Great Bedfordians Gallery, Free Entry
Explore the stories of Bedford's Polish community in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Polish Independence. Follow their experiences of early life in Poland, memories of migration, journeys to Britain and life after settling in Bedford.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
Spotlight on the Collections
Spotlight Gallery, Free Entry
The Spotlight Gallery currently hosts a display of Greek coins from our collections. Future displays will explore a wide range of themes, including objects and their stories from our stores, recent archaeological finds from around Bedford and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Find out more about the display here >
'Paved with Gold': Bedford's Windrush Generation
Online Exhibition
Explore the stories of the people that settled in Bedford, and the contributions they have made to the community in this online exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition here >
International Women's Day - Pearl Thomson
Online Display
Celebrate the life of one of our Great Bedfordians; Pearl Thomson. Born in Jamaica, Pearl arrived in Bedford in 1956 and became the town's first female teacher from the Caribbean.
Find out more about the display here >