In December 2016, the National Trust took on a five-year lease of both Elgar’s birthplace cottage and the visitor centre, inheriting the responsibility for sharing this very special place and its stories from the long-line of distinguished prior custodians. The National Trust was invited to join forces with the Elgar Trusts to use our expertise to further enhance our visitors’ experience of the site.
On Friday 1st September 2017, the Firs: Elgar’s Birthplace opened to the public after being closed for a year.
Michael Forster-Smith, General Manager, spoke to welcome the first visitors; “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Elgar Foundation and Elgar Family Trust to share the story of Sir Edward Elgar’s birthplace with visitors to Lower Broadheath. Shortly after Elgar’s death in 1934, the cottage in which he was born was acquired by Worcester City Council and has been the focus for commemorating the remarkable story of his life and music ever since.”