Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston

Harris Museum and Art Gallery
Market Square
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 2PP
England

Website

Harris Museum and Art Gallery information

www.harrismuseum.org.uk

Cotton History website

www.cleo.net.uk/followtheyarn

E-mail

Enquiries

harris.museum@preston.gov.uk

Telephone

Museum Office

01772 258248

Event bookings (Mon - Sat, 10am - 4pm, Sun 11am - 4pm)

01772 905414

Recorded Information Line

01772 905410

Fax

Office fax

01772 886764

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Outside the Harris Museum and Art Gallery

The Harris Museum and Art Gallery is located in a Grade I listed building right in the centre of Preston, England's newest city. It offers a huge range of free exhibitions as well as activities for all ages. The programme includes contemporary art and design, fashion, fine art and decorative art. The museum also specialises in the history of Preston and holds a variety of social history exhibitions including those of local photographs from the museum's extensive archive.

Venue type

Museum

Opening hours

Open Mon - Sat 10.00 - 17.00
except Tues 11.00 - 17.00

Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

Closed: Sundays and Bank Holidays

Admission charges

Free admission to all exhibitions. Small charge for special events and activities.

General services and facilities

Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
General audio-guide available
Guided tours
Information point provided
Pre-booking service for groups
Cafeteria
Refreshments
Shop

Children and families

Events and resources for children and families
Baby changing facilities

Disability access

Audio guides specifically for blind and partially sighted people
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
Induction loops in exhibition spaces
Large print information and/or interpretation
Sign language interpretation available
Touch exhibits
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to all public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan

Schools services and facilities

Direct teaching services for schools
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Education facilities available
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups

Research and adult learning

Adult lectures and courses held
Loan service
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
Mail order service available
Study facilities

Commercial and hire services

Facilities for private functions and events

Additional info

Friends of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery £7.00 per year or life membership £75.00. The Friends organise regular trips to other places of interest as well as a regular Christmas concert, AGM with speaker and other events each year at the Harris Museum. 10% discount in Museum shop for members.
For details contact The Hon. Secretary, Friends of the Harris, c/o The Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Market Square, Preston, PR1 2PP or pick up a leaflet in the gallery.

Harris Museum and Art Gallery
Market Square
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 2PP
England

Website

Harris Museum and Art Gallery information

www.harrismuseum.org.uk

Cotton History website

www.cleo.net.uk/followtheyarn

E-mail

Enquiries

harris.museum@preston.gov.uk

Telephone

Museum Office

01772 258248

Event bookings (Mon - Sat, 10am - 4pm, Sun 11am - 4pm)

01772 905414

Recorded Information Line

01772 905410

Fax

Office fax

01772 886764

Large collections of 18th, 19th and 20th Century oils, watercolours and prints along with strong contemporary photography collection. Large collection of work by the Preston-based Devis family of artists.

Glass, ceramics, textile and costume, as well as specialist collections of perfume bottles and calling card cases.

Largest social history collections relating to Preston, including items relating to Preston Guild and large social history photography collection.

Collection details

Archaeology, Architecture, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Design, Fine Art, Industry, Photography, Social History, Toys and Hobbies, World Cultures

Key artists and exhibits

18th, 19th and 20th century fine art, including work of the Devis family
Costume gallery with exhibitions changing annually
Story of Preston permanent history exhibition
Glass and ceramics display
Displays of scent bottles and card cases from the French collection
Temporary exhibitions galleries with exhibitions of contemporary art, craft and design and exhibitions of local/social history interest

Collections services

General guide to collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Specialist publications on collections available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)

Harris Museum and Art Gallery
Market Square
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 2PP
England

Website

Harris Museum and Art Gallery information

www.harrismuseum.org.uk

Cotton History website

www.cleo.net.uk/followtheyarn

E-mail

Enquiries

harris.museum@preston.gov.uk

Telephone

Museum Office

01772 258248

Event bookings (Mon - Sat, 10am - 4pm, Sun 11am - 4pm)

01772 905414

Recorded Information Line

01772 905410

Fax

Office fax

01772 886764

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.

Digital and online resources

Follow the Yarn - The Story of Cotton in Preston

http://www.followtheyarn.net

Educational website about the cotton industry in Preston. The site includes specific information and activities about the Horrockses cotton spinners and manufacturers who were founded in Preston by John Horrocks in 1791. Visitors can also weave their own design on a virtual loom or write a newspaper article on a significant event in the town's history. Suitable for key stage 24 pupils studying history and geography.

Creator

Harris Museum and Art Gallery
ACTIS Limited

How to obtain

Also accessible via www.cleo.net.uk in history resources.

History at the Harris CD-ROM

http://www.harrismuseum.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=108

This CD-Rom includes schemes of work, printable worksheets, guidance for bringing a group to the museum, and lots of images to help you teach Toys (QCA Unit 1), Homes (QCA Unit 2), and What was it like to live here (Preston) in the past? (QCA Unit 18).

How to obtain

The CD is available to buy from the museum’s Education Department, priced £10.00. Please telephone 01772 905405.

Face to face resources

Can Buildings Speak?

http://www.harrismuseum.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=108

Primary age group Art and Design session exploring and recording the shapes and patterns of the building and its collections.

How to obtain

School groups can book activity sessions led by an artist or gallery teacher, arrange a self guided visit or organise their own activities with supervision. All need to be booked beforehand.
To make a booking or for further information please contact the Education Officers from Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm on 01772 905405, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk

face to face resources