Own a Piece of Brontë History

Brontë fans can now own a piece of history as limited edition slices of beams from the Brontë Birthplace go on sale.

Pieces of the original beams are up for grabs as part of a fundraising effort for the historic house in Thornton, Bradford.

Dating back over 200 years, each beam once supported the floor beneath the Brontë family's feet.

The Brontë Birthplace, Thornton where Charlotte, Barnwell, Emily and Anne Brontë were all born, opened to the public earlier this tear for the first time in its 200-year history.

Thanks to money from more than 700 individual investors added together with grants from Bradford City of Culture 2025, the Community Ownership Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the house has been placed under the care of the Brontë Birthplace Limited, a Community Benefit Society.

As part of the sensitive renovation, the ceiling to the parlour was stripped back to reveal timbers that could no longer be used.

After a consultation with Bradford Council and Historic England, the decision was made that the beams had to be replaced.

While this decision was a tough one, not all is lost because Birthplace property advisor, Adrian Tingle has meticulously prepared a total of 240 sections of the Brontë Birthplace beams which you can get your hands on now, meaning you can own a piece of Brontë history.

They have been framed and mounted by Thornton-based farmer, Andy Rushworth, with museum-quality art glass and are now on sale for £250 each.

Each of the slices has a holographic authentication and a register of ownership will be maintained.

Nigel West, Fundraising Coordinator from the Brontë Birthplace, said: "This is a limited edition. We do not anticipate any further major works in our lifetime and you can take the opportunity to own this little slice of history, secure in the knowledge that removal was completely necessary to ensure the safety of the building."

"Lovingly preserved and presented, each piece offers a tangible connection to literary history and a timeless keepsake from the very place the Brontë story began."

As part of the fundraising drive, a limited edition poem by London based poet, Liliana Pasterska is also available to Brontë enthusiasts.

Liliana has joined teamed up with Maria Saegerman from the Brussels Brontë Group to create a Brontë Birthplace, Thornton poem.

Just 100 signed poems are available and they are priced at £120 each.

Nigel West added: "The result is a unique and moving collaboration between Brontë enthusiasts, brought together across countries by their shared passion."

For information on how to buy a slice of beam or a signed poem, visit: Home - Brontë Birthplace