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In 1846 the Lark Hill Estate
near the Crescent was bought by public subscription and opened
as a park for "the enjoyment and recreation of the public".
Sir Robert had been a prominent figure in the campaign for public
parks and had made a financial contribution himself so it was
not surprising that in August 1846 the park was named Peel Park
in honour of Sir Robert. On the 8th May 1852 a statue of Sir
Robert was erected in Peel Park.
Peel Building was opened on
25th March 1896 to house the Salford Royal Technical Institute.
The building was one of the first municipal colleges in the country.
Today it is used by the University of Salford which was founded
in 1967.
The Building played a part
in Lowry's story. Over the entrance at the very top of the building
is a large window. It was here in the life studios that Lowry
spent 22 years, mostly at evening classes, learning the draughtsmanship
that was to hold him in such good stead throughout his artistic
career. |
