The design and construction of the Hall began in 1869 and was opened in 1904 by Lord Masham, on the site of the old Manningham Hall. It was dedication to Dr. Edmund Cartwright who invented the power loom which did so much for Bradford's prosperity. Lord Masham, who lived as a boy in the old Manningham Hall, donated £40,000 for the construction. Although originally to be a place for displaying technological advances, with the opening of Bradford Technical College in 1882, it was decide the Hall would be an art gallery and museum.