The Old Speech Room was completed in 1820 and used as a space where boys could learn the art of public speaking. In 1976, it was converted into a Gallery - a safe repository for the School's distinguished collection of antiquities and fine art. A professional curatorial team manages the collections in accordance with best museum practice under the direction of the Curator. There is an ongoing programme of conservation and collections care, as well as a loans scheme. In the OSRG Arts Society, Harrovians can learn about object handling, conservation, documentation and collections care; help to research, design, curate and advertise exhibitions; and enjoy regular visits to major art collections in and around London. To see examples of some of the 19th-century watercolours held in the OSRG collection please visit Watercolour World.

Key Collections

Recent Gifts and Acquisitions

Greek, Etruscan, Roman and Egyptian antiquities 19th-century English and European watercolours, prints and engravings 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century oil paintings and sculpture 19th-century Japanese prints, Chinese ceramics and sculpture Manuscripts, rare Bibles and early printed books Coins, medals and stamps Photographs by Beaton and Lichfield Natural history

Cruden’s Concordance of the Old and New Testaments, 1738 The Fellows’ Garden, Exeter College, 1986, watercolour by Valerie Petts ‘Leavers’, 1991, a montage of Harrow Leavers’ cards by OH Jeremy Cooper View of Old Schools and the War Memorial Building, c.1925 engraving by Wallace Hester The cricket ground at Harrow, engraving by H Sargent The signal station, 1887, watercolour by Thomas Bush Hardy Visit with Winston Churchill, c.1970, signed lithograph by Sarah Churchill The Highgrove Florilegium, 2008, compiled for Prince Charles by OH Richard Shirley Smith (The Knoll, 1949) Anti-Slavery Convention Medal depicting Thomas Clarkson, 1840

Book

THE OLD SPEECH ROOM GALLERY - A Collection Revealed

This new book, which catalogues the gallery's collections, is on sale from The Outfitters, 23 High Street, Harrow on the Hill (open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5.30pm).

Exhibitions

FIFTY YEARS ON: THE EVOLVING COLLECTION 1976–2026

The Old Speech Room Gallery celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026. All the objects and artworks featured in this special exhibition have been acquired since the gallery’s inception in 1976. From the very first donation by artist Victor Pasmore (Bradbys 1923) to exceptional photographs by three of the School’s royal photographers, as well as rare maps and books, stamps, sculptures, ceramics, medals, prints and portraits acquired more recently, the collection reveals the richness of the gallery’s teaching and learning resources.

The recently published The Old Speech Room Gallery: A Collection Revealed provides an engaging introduction to the collection and acts as an invaluable supplement to the exhibition.

Apart from significant artworks of the 19th and 20th centuries, permanent displays include Greek vases and Old Harrovian subjects such as Lord Byron, Admiral Sir Edward Codrington and Sir Winston Churchill. These are primarily used for teaching.

As not all parts of the collection can be displayed at the same time, the Gallery runs a termly programme of temporary exhibitions. Recent subjects include From Reynolds to Matisse: Treasures of the OSRG Collection; The Muse and the Maker: a Celebration of Women on the Hill and the major exhibition for the Harrow 450 programme: Harrow 1572-2022.

Summer Term Opening Hours

The OSRG is open to the public on the following dates: 23, 24, 25 (1.30-4pm) April; 1, 7, 14, 15 and 23 (2-4pm) May; and 5, 12, 13 (1.30-4pm), 25 and 26 June. Public opening times are from 2.30-5pm unless otherwise stated.

Occasionally the gallery closes for School business or exeats. Please call 0208 872 8205 to check opening times before planning your visit.