Harris Museum and Art Gallery
Harris Museum and Art Gallery
Market Square
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 2PP
England
Website
Harris Museum and Art Gallery information
Cotton History website
Preston Hands on Gang
Enquiries
Telephone
Museum Office
01772 258248
Event bookings (when museum is open)
01772 905414
Recorded Information Line
01772 905410
Fax
Office fax
01772 886764
Located in the heart of Preston in a beautiful Grade I listed building, the Harris Museum & Art Gallery hosts a huge range of free exhibitions as well as events and activities for all ages.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery
Additional info
Get involved:
For young people - why not join Young Harris, our monthly meeting for young people interested in the arts or take part in the Arts Award?
Friends of the Harris - for only £15 membership per year, Friends enjoy exclusive events, trips and discounts in the shop/cafe and at special Harris events. See our website for more details.
There are three main collection areas - fine art, decorative art and history.
The Fine Art collection includes 18th, 19th and 20th Century oil paintings, watercolours, prints and sculpture, with strong focus on contemporary work including photography and digital art. The Harris has a large collection of portrait and landscape paintings by the Preston-based Devis family of artists. Permanent fine art gallery (redisplayed approximately every 3 years) and features in the changing exhibitions programme.
The Decorative Art collection includes ceramics, glass, costume and textiles. The UK's largest collection of glass perfume bottles collected by Mrs French - the majority is on permanent display in cases and accessible drawers. Permanent Ceramics and Glass gallery completed 2008 and changing exhibitions of costume and textiles.
History collections including speciailist collections on the local and social history of Preston including objects and ephemera including items relating to the unique Preston Guild held every 20 years. A large local photography collection including portraits, family albums and views of Preston and events. Wider historical material includes archaeology collections both local and ancient civilizations, numismatics, greetings cards, dolls, toys and cigarette cards. Permanent Discover Preston gallery opened 2012 and Discover Room featuring Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Toys, Money and changing displays on Preston's history and community history.
Collection details
Archaeology, 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
- Discover Preston permanent history gallery
- Costume gallery with changing exhibitions
- Ceramics and Glass Gallery
- Displays of scent bottles and card cases from the French collection
- Discover Preston changing display case
- Mayor temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, digital art and fine art
- Fine art gallery
- The Egyptian balcony - Murals of scenes of Ancient Egyptian sites by John Somerscales
The Harris - An Architectural Gem.
Find out about the architecture and history of one of Preston's most famous landmarks; the Grade 1 listed Harris building. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
- 18+
- 16-17
When
1-1pm
Young Harris
Young Harris meets every month and you get to work with professional artists and our staff and can work towards your Bronze Arts Award. For more info about what Young Harris get up to, visit/like our Facebook page. Free, drop in. The Harris collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16-17
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
1-3:30pm
Website
Wonderful Wednesdays
Wonderful Wednesdays is a free family workshop giving kids the chance to unleash their creativity! The Harris collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- 5-6
- 11-13
- Family friendly
When
1:30-3:30pm
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Little Hands On
Suitable for under-fives and their carers. Just drop in, no need to book in advance!
Suitable for
- 0-4
When
11am-12pm
Little Hands On Story Time
Suitable for under-fives and their carers.
Suitable for
- 0-4
When
10:30-11am
The Potter’s Apprentice
Have you got what it takes? ‘Clock in’ to try out the processes behind the ceramics industry - press a clay pot and learn more about the people and children who worked in the potteries in Vicotrian times.
Suitable for all ages. Free, drop in.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
When
1:30-3:30pm
Website
Young Harris
Young Harris meets every month and you get to work with professional artists and our staff and can work towards your Bronze Arts Award. For more info about what Young Harris get up to, visit/like our Facebook page. Free, drop in. The Harris collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16-17
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
1-3:30pm
Website
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
The Harris - An Architectural Gem.
Find out about the architecture and history of one of Preston's most famous landmarks; the Grade 1 listed Harris building. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
- 18+
- 16-17
When
1-1:30pm
Little Hands On
Suitable for under-fives and their carers. Just drop in, no need to book in advance!
Suitable for
- 0-4
When
11am-12pm
Little Hands On Story Time
Suitable for under-fives and their carers.
Suitable for
- 0-4
When
10:30-11am
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Young Harris
Young Harris meets every month and you get to work with professional artists and our staff and can work towards your Bronze Arts Award. For more info about what Young Harris get up to, visit/like our Facebook page. Free, drop in. The Harris collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16-17
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
1-3:30pm
Website
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Young Harris
Young Harris meets every month and you get to work with professional artists and our staff and can work towards your Bronze Arts Award. For more info about what Young Harris get up to, visit/like our Facebook page. Free, drop in. The Harris collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16-17
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
1-3:30pm
Website
Little Hands On
Suitable for under-fives and their carers. Just drop in, no need to book in advance!
Suitable for
- 0-4
When
11am-12pm
Little Hands On Story Time
Suitable for under-fives and their carers.
Suitable for
- 0-4
When
10:30-11am
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Tour: What Makes Preston Special
A chance to look at some of the stories featured in the Discover Preston gallery in more depth. The Harris Museum collection includes paintings featured on the Your Paintings website.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Welcome to the Harris
What are museums for and where did all those objects come from? Discover thr answers to these questions by handling objects, writing labels and explorig the different ways museums tell visitors about their collections.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Ancient Greeks
Hold a piece of Greek history in your hands, think like an archaeologist and translate Greek writing. This session uses objects and the museum's impressive architecture to bring this fascinating period to life.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Animal Safari
Dress for a safari with pith helemts and and carrying magnifying glasses, children will explore the collections and discover animals big and small. £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Reception: 1h30m
Early Years settings with pre-school children: 1h
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk
Can Buildings Speak?
What is the Harris Museum & Art Gallery saying? Look at the outside of the building to discover what it wants to tell us before exploring its interior and recording patterns using pencils, cameras and other media.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Cottoning On - the rise and fall of Preston's cotton industry
Card cotton, weave on looms, study maps and hold objects to find out how the cotton trad changed Preston and what life was like for children working in the mills. In partnership with Lancashire Libraries Service.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Design a Museum
Are you designing a museum? Are you unsure where to begin? Why not head to the Harris Museum & Art Gallery where you can invent engaging labels for your collection and, for KS2, persuage people to visit. Using object handling and National Literacy Trust 'talk for writing' techniques.
The Harris’ creative literacy sessions are designed to inspire a wider scheme of literacy and cross-curricular work. Some offer an additional, optional follow-up session back in school. They have created as part of the Preston Museums & Schools Partnership.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Doctor Harris What and the Museum/Art Gallery of the Future
Let the Harris Museum & Art Gallery visit your school to enthuse children about art and the past.
Doctor What needs help! The Doctor has travelled back in time to collect interesting objects from 2010/11 because the museums and art galleries of the future are devoid of collections from our time and people in the future don't know much about us. Can the children suggest or create some important pieces and save the day?
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 30 minutes; £10.
Every Picture Tells a Story - Portraying Relationships
Uncover the stories within paintings by examining gestures and symbols, bring the characters and scenes to life through role-play, then place yourself and a partner in a picture with clues to tell your story.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Greek Myths
Heroes wanted: are you up to the challenge? As you travel around the museum you will create mythical beasts, discover pots with magic powers, and earn your reward of Ancient Greek coins.
Optional follow-up: You've come so far but can you slay the beast? Using drama and movement you will conclude the myth back in the classroom.
The Harris’ creative literacy sessions are designed to inspire a wider scheme of literacy and cross-curricular work. Some offer an additional, optional follow-up session back in school. They have created as part of the Preston Museums & Schools Partnership.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2.5 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free. Or discounted rate of £4 per child for the museum visit and follow-up session in school.
Horace's Big Dig for Little Kids
Meet Horace, our 12,000 year old elk, and put his bones back together. See the things people have left behind and hold intriguing pots, coins and tools that have been found in the ground.
Reception: 1h30m
Early Years settings with pre-school children: 1h
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
I'm an object, get me out of storage!
Let the Harris Museum & Art Gallery visit your school to enthuse children about art and the past.
The children will take on the role of curators in a game show designed to get them thinking about which objects should be on display and why.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 30 minutes; £10.
Investigating Pattern
Create patterned textiles using our collections as inspiration. Learn about different techniques used to crate fabrics before making your own unique design. A great way to creatively re-inforce work on symmetry and shape.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Lowry's Millworkers
Walk through the painting, hold objects workers used in the mills and find the words to develop a poem woven with understanding and description.
Optional follow-up - Learn drawing techniques to enable you to present your poetry on your own Lowry inspired artwork.
The Harris’ creative literacy sessions are designed to inspire a wider scheme of literacy and cross-curricular work. Some offer an additional, optional follow-up session back in school. They have created as part of the Preston Museums & Schools Partnership.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free. Or discounted rate of £4.00 per children including museum visit and follow-up session in school.
Moving Pictures
Let the Harris Museum & Art Gallery visit your school to enthuse children about art and the past.
Inspired by images from the Harris' Fine Art collection, the children will bring them to life with soud and drama and discover the stories within the paintings.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 30 minutes; £10.
My first visit to the Harris
Visit the museum and art gallery, take photographs of the objects that catch your eye and find out what there is to enjoy.
Reception: 1h30m
Early Years settings with pre-school children: 1h
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Objects and Meanings
Behind every still-life is a wealth of thought about what to include, where to place the objects and the colours to use. Handle some of the objects represented in our paintings and design your own composition for a still-life to commemorate your visit.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Ourselves/Portraits
Explore the Fine Art Gallery for paintings of people. Copy their expressions, find clues in their clothing and strike a pose to inspire the children to create their own self-portrait.
Reception: 1h30m
Early Years settings with pre-school children: 1h
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Preston Dock - a local study
When was the dock built? What are dredgers and why were they so important? And what (or who) was unearthed from the river bed? Using a range of source materials pupils will find out how the dock changed Preston, what it was like to work in the port and what led to its closure. Inpartnership with Lancashire Libraries Service.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Self Portraits
What can we learn about people from their portraits? Investigate a selection of our portraits, copy their expressions, find clues in their clothing and strike a post before children create their own self-portrait.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Sudden Rising of the Nile
The river is flooding! How would it feel to flee your home, taking only the belongings you can carry? Investigate issues and emotions rised by our painting 'The Sudden Rising of the Nile' through role-play and drama techniques, leading to a diary recount.
The Harris’ creative literacy sessions are designed to inspire a wider scheme of literacy and cross-curricular work. Some offer an additional, optional follow-up session back in school. They have created as part of the Preston Museums & Schools Partnership.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
The Preston Lock-Out
Using role-play, sources and speech-making, pupils become different groups of people involved in the 1853 Preston Lock-Out. They will begin to understand why cotton workers were locked out of the millsand realise that historical events appear different from alternative points of view before voting for their preferred resolution. Available until 5 November 2010.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. Available until 5 November 2010.
Toys
Sort out the old toys from the new, explore how they were used through play and then make your own toy to round off this enjoyable session.
Reception: 1h30m
Early Years settings with pre-school children: 1h
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Toys
Sort toys onto a timeline, explore how they were used through play and then make your own toy to round off this enjoyable session.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Victorian Childhood
Discover how the lives of children in Victorian times different from today through objects, photographs and maps. Learn about work and play, and how changes in Preston affected the lives of local children. Pick two of the following options: Work & Insustry, Transport, Toys & Leisure, and Household.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
What is Sculpture?
Explore a variety of sculptures from our collections, touch the different materials from which they are made, make an abstract piece together and feel inspired to mould or construct something new.
How to obtain
Call our Education Team on 01772 905405 Monday - Friday, or email harris.museum@preston.gov.uk. 2 hours; £2.50 per child; accompanying adults free.
Exploring Homes in the Past
http://www.mylearning.org/overview.asp?journeyid=643
Discover the differences between modern and historical homes. Recognise common external features of domestic dwellings and identify differences between key external features of old and new houses.
Publisher
- This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.
Follow the Yarn - The Story of Cotton in Preston
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.
Preston: Past and Present
http://www.mylearning.org/overview.asp?journeyid=644
Explore the City of Preston in Lancashire, now and in the past - good Victorian images.
Publisher
- This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.
Victorian School and Work in Preston
http://www.mylearning.org/overview.asp?journeyid=670
Most Victorians had a very different attitude towards child labour than we do today. Sending young children out to work was an economic necessity for most families. This resource has worksheets about school and work life for children in Victorian times, inspired by original archive documents.
Publisher
- This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.
Victorian Transport in Preston
http://www.mylearning.org/overview.asp?journeyid=669
Looking at photographs to discover different types of transport in Victorian times - worksheet with classroom question ideas
Publisher
- This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.
Getting there
How to get here by car:
Follow M6 to Junction 31 (signposted Preston)
Follow signs for A59 Preston
Continue up a steep hill (Brockholes Brow)
At small roundabout carry straight on towards city centre (New Hall Lane)
Continue until you reach a T-junction at traffic lights (opposite Sainsbury's Homebase) and turn right.
Carry straight on through a Pelican crossing and another major set of traffic lights.
Get in the left hand lane and turn left for Bus Station car park down Percy Street. The entrance to the car park is up a ramp about 3/4 of the way down this road. You are close to the ramp entrance when you see the ramp going over the road in front you.
If you miss the left turn onto Percy Street there is another one for the same car park at the next set of traffic lights (by the Holiday Inn).
Turn left at the lights and second left up the ramp into car park.
Car park is pay and display.
From car park on foot:
Follow signs to Guild Hall/City Centre.
You will go down an escalator (or use lift)
At the bottom of the escalator turn 180 degrees and proceed through the Guild Hall shopping arcade (past a news kiosk under the escalator).
When you reach the Guild Hall exit, you will see the back of the Harris Museum directly in front of you. There are entrances on the right and left hand sides of the building on Harris Street and Jacson Street. When inside, you will find the Museum Office on the first floor. A lift is available.
How to get here from the railway station:
There are regular trains to Preston from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, East Lancashire and Lancaster etc.
The Harris is a ten minute walk from the station.
Leave the station at the main exit (next to ticket office) and walk up the concourse.
Turn right onto Fishergate.
Carry on straight ahead, crossing Butler Street on your right at the traffic lights.
Continue straight along Fishergate past the shops (Woolworth’s, HMV, M&S etc.) until you reach Boots on the right hand side.
Turn left on to the Market Square and the Harris is straight opposite you.
- About
- | Collections
- | Events
- | Resources
- | Map
