What's Happening At The Brontë Parsonage Museum This Autumn?

The Brontë Parsonage Museum isn’t just a historic house; it’s a place buzzing with stories, creativity, and some seriously cool events. And with tickets lasting a whole year, one visit is just the beginning of the adventure. It's an important time for the museum, with plenty to see and do.

A Rare Glimpse of Emily Brontë

Ever wondered what Emily Brontë, the author of the wild and stormy novel Wuthering Heights, actually looked like? Getting a clear picture is tricky because she wasn't exactly a fan of sitting for paintings. But for the next few months, there's a chance to see a real, authentic image of her.

A very special guest has arrived at the museum, all the way from the National Portrait Gallery in London. It's a fragment of a painting by her brother, Branwell Brontë, showing his sister, Emily. This isn’t just any old painting — it’s one of the most famous images of the author in existence and has a dramatic story. Branwell painted a group portrait of his sisters, but this portrait of Emily is the only piece that survives. It offers a unique look at the writer, captured by someone who knew her best.

The display is carefully arranged to ensure everyone can get a good look. This important artwork is on loan and will be at the museum until 31 October. There’s nothing quite like it, so seeing it in person is a real treat for any Brontë fan.

Sunshine and Stories at the Family Day

The museum isn't just about quiet rooms and old books. On Saturday, 2 August, the grounds were filled with laughter and creativity during the Brontës, Birds and Butterflies family day. Over 200 people came to enjoy the sunshine in Parson’s Field, taking part in all sorts of activities and watching live performances.

It was a fantastic way to mark the anniversary of the museum opening its doors way back on 4 August 1928. It shows how the spirit of the Brontë family continues to inspire people today. A love for this place is something people inherit through generations of visitors. These community days are an important part of what makes the museum so special.

More Than Just a One-Time Visit

One of the best things about a trip to the Brontë Parsonage Museum is that the experience doesn't have to end when you leave. Tickets to the museum are valid for a full 12 months, so visitors can come back again and again. Maybe visit in summer and return to see the Parsonage in the snow? Each season gives the home and the surrounding moors a completely different feel.

And for those who want to take a piece of the magic home, the museum shop is full of goodies, from magnets to socks. Every purchase helps support the Brontë Society, the charity that runs the museum and preserves this literary treasure for the future.

Going Beyond Haworth: Exploring the Brontës' World

The Brontës' influence stretches far beyond the Haworth moors. A special conference in Bradford, Re-mapping the Brontës, aims to look at their work from a global perspective.

What does that actually mean? Professor Corinne Fowler, a keynote speaker, will be talking about the "Colonial Brontës," looking at how their stories connect to the wider world of the British Empire. It’s a reminder that even though they lived in a small Yorkshire village, their imaginations were huge.

The event will also explore the Brontës’ Irish identity and examine depictions of Africa in their juvenilia — a term for the incredibly detailed stories and poems they wrote as children. It’s like the imaginary worlds someone might sketch in a notebook, but the Brontë family created entire kingdoms. This event highlights the extraordinary depth of their literary legacy.

What’s On at the Museum?

Thinking of planning a visit? There's a calendar packed with events at the museum and online. Watching an event from home is a great way to connect with the work of Emily Brontë and her sisters. The museum’s booking website is designed to work seamlessly across all devices.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming up:

Event	Date	Location
Brontë Women’s Writing Festival	26–28 September	At the Museum
Poetry at the Parsonage	Saturday 11 October	At the Museum
Thursday Talk: Charlotte's Travels	Thursday 14 August	Online

Whether it’s seeing that rare portrait, joining a festival, or tuning in to a talk from your own sofa, there’s always something new to discover about the Brontë family.