It was founded in 1997 on the proceeds of the sale of the book collection of Henry Norman Burgess Wettenhall, a paediatrician, art-lover, amateur ornithologist, environmentalist and philanthropist.
The institution was established in 1997 as a result of the sale of Henry Norman Burgess Wettenhall's extensive book collection, which reflected his diverse passions for medicine, art, ornithology, environmentalism, and philanthropy.