Francis H. Newbery grew up in Bridport. After retiring as Director of Glasgow School of Art, he painted and donated to the town five large historical paintings and a series of murals as thanks for the role Bridport played in his early education and development. In 1923, he presented 'A Romance of Bridport, Dorset' and was made a Freeman of the Borough. He later presented three more paintings, two historical scenes of Charles II and Joan of Navarre and a Dorset scene. In 1925, the Town Hall was impressively redecorated to Newbery’s design and he then presented a picture of shipbuilding and a mural of four panels. Together these paintings offer a fascinating insight into the social, cultural and industrial history of the town.