Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive

Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive
Le Mans Crescent
Bolton
Lancashire
BL1 1SE
England

Website

Bolton Museum & Archive Service main web site

www.boltonmuseums.org.uk

Bolton Archives & Local Studies section

www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/bolton-archives/

The Bowyer Bible site

www.bowyerbible.boltonmuseums.org.uk

Humphrey Spender site

www.spendersworktown.boltonmuseums.org.uk

Bolton Museum collections online

www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/collections/

E-mail

General Enquiries

museum@bolton.gov.uk

Telephone

Museum Customer Services Team

01204 332211

Fax

Bolton Museum Office

01204 332241

All information is drawn or provided by the venues 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.
Bolton Museum Building
baby changing facilities icon Shop icon Library icon Study area icon Hearing disability facilities icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

Bolton is a medium sized regional museum that has its origins in the Chadwick Museum and Mere Hall Art Gallery.

Venue Type:

Museum, Library, Archive, Gallery

Opening hours

Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm (Wed 9.30am)
Sun 10am - 4pm

Admission charges

FREE

Additional info

Most areas of the Museum, Art Gallery and Aquarium are accessible to people with disabilities, using the ramped entrance and passenger lift in the foyer.
Our Customer Service Team are always happy to help if you require assistance or information.

The museums collection includes Archaeology, Art, Botany, Egyptology, Entomology, Geology, Social History, Natural History, and Zoology.

Collection details

Toys and Hobbies, Sport, Social History, Science and Technology, Personalities, Natural Sciences, Music, Medicine, Land Transport, Industry, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archives, Archaeology

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.
Woodworm and Biscuit Beetles

Art from Nature: Paintings by Mark Lightowler

27 April — 4 August 2013 *on now

Over the years, he has produced many works of art based on specimens from Bolton Museum’s collection. This exhibition shows a selection of his work and the techniques he uses. Mark Lightowler will be visiting the Museum and demonstrating some of his techniques on Saturday 4th May from 12.30pm – 3pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
Our Tap Dancing Bread Man

David Livesey - 'My Northern Paintings'

8 June — 27 October 2013 *on now

After leaving Bolton School of Art in 1945, he worked on many acclaimed animated classics such as The Snowman, The Wind in the Willows, and The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine. Livesey started working on his Bolton paintings after moving to the Isle of Man in 2003. His paintings focus on his memories of growing up in grandparents’ house on Cemetery Road in Bolton in the 1940s, and the fascinating cast of characters who lived and worked nearby. This exhibition will be on display in the Worktown Gallery at Bolton Museum.

Suitable for

  • Any age
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.
Leverhulme Park

Worktown 2013 with Richard Gaskill

22 June 2013

The Humphrey Spender John Marriott Scholarship for Social Documentary Photography enables a recent post-graduate student to produce a body of photography that reinterprets some of Spender’s Worktown images of Bolton in the 1930’s. The theme for this year’s scholarship is Sports, Spectacles and Spectators and the current recipient is Richard Gaskill. At this workshop, participants will learn about Mass Observation and Worktown. They will be introduced to the Spender archive and they will explore ways of documenting their own, modern-day experience of Bolton. Participants will then have four weeks to produce a piece of work that will be included in the final exhibition at the museum in August. Richard will also select a single piece of work that will be permanently housed within the museum’s Spender archive.

For more information and to book contact Richard on 07977230172. Places are limited and are based on a first come, first served basis. Follow Richard’s blog at http://humphreyspenderscholarship.com/richard-gaskill/.

Suitable for

  • 16-17
  • 18+

When

9am-12pm

Mini Explorers

3 — 24 June 2013 *on now

Advance booking required. To book call 01204 482566 or email familylearning@boltoncc.ac.uk.

Suitable for

  • 0-4

Fishy Fridays

7 — 28 June 2013 *on now

Includes crafts and fish feeding! Advance booking required. To book call 01204 482566 or email familylearning@boltoncc.ac.uk.

Suitable for

  • 0-4

Lunchtime Talk - 'Your Country Needs You!': Posters from the Bolton Collection

28 June 2013

A free, informal lunchtime talk with Helen Romaniszyn, Information Services Assistant. No need to book and feel free to bring your lunch.

Suitable for

  • 11-13
  • 16-17
  • 18+
  • 14-15

When

1-1:30pm

Observe Bolton

11 May — 29 June 2013 *on now

Observe Bolton is an exciting new project for young people. You will have the opportunity to develop skills in photography, audio recording, editing and blogging whilst discovering Bolton’s secret life. If you are an independent thinker, aspiring artist or writer, then this project is for you. The project is inspired by Mass Observation's 1930's study of life in Bolton. For more information contact Caroline Edge on ce1art@bolton.ac.uk. Advance booking required as places are limited. To book call 01204 332209.

Suitable for

  • 14-15
  • 18+
  • 16-17
Super Saturday logo

Super Saturday: A Celebration of Children's Books

29 June 2013

This month we celebrate 2013’s Summer Reading Challenge ‘Creepy House’ theme. Activities include a free Family Trail, a Fish Feed and Fishy Story (11am), a chance to make a Scary Fish (12pm – 1pm), play a Creepy House Board Game, make a Haunted House and hear Creepy Stories (1pm – 3pm) and listen to a range of fun stories (3pm). Sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge in the Children's Library and pick up your free pack. There will also be a free 'Funny Bones' craft activity. Activities are free and there’s no need to book.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

11am-3pm

The Spirit of '45

5 July 2013

The film focusses on the 1945 general election and the creation of the welfare state by Clement Attlee's Labour government. He tells Andrew Pulver why a feeling of group ownership was so important in the post war years and how that ideal still rings true today. For more information visit http://www.thespiritof45.com/ Free, no need to book.

Suitable for

  • 11-13
  • 16-17
  • 18+
  • 14-15

When

7-8:30pm

Silver Screenings - Great Expectations

10 July 2013

Films range from Hollywood classics to book adaptations. Light refreshments provided. Entry £3 per person, no need to book.

Suitable for

  • 11-13
  • 16-17
  • 14-15
  • 18+

When

2-4pm

Cinema at the Crescent - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

13 July 2013

Light refreshments can be purchased. Entry to the film screening is £1 per person, entry to the craft activity is free. This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

1-4pm

Admission

£1 per person

Tutankhamen’s Curse - Talk and Book Signing with Dr Joyce Tyldesley

16 July 2013

Copies of the book and some of her other books will be available to purchase after the talk. This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • 14-15
  • 18+
  • 16-17

When

1-2:30pm

Lunchtime Talk - The Excavation of Moss Bank Park

17 July 2013

The excavations were part of the Dig Greater Manchester community project run by the Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University of Salford. This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • 16-17
  • 18+
  • 14-15

When

1-2pm

Finds Identification Day

18 July 2013

This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July). Appointments can be made to identify finds for other times during the festival if members of the public cannot make 18th and 25th July. Call 01204 332211 for more details. This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • 11-13
  • 16-17
  • 14-15
  • 18+

When

10am-4pm

Archaeology Society Fair

20 July 2013

This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • 14-15
  • 18+
  • 16-17

When

10am-4pm

Family Garden Party and Dog Show

21 July 2013

Entry to the Dog Show is £1 per dog, per category. Entry to the hall is £1.50 adults, £1 children/concessions. Entry to the grounds is FREE.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

12-4pm

Admission

£1.50 adults, £1 concessions (Smithills Hall), entry to the grounds is FREE

Lunchtime Talk - Bolton's Egyptology Collection

24 July 2013

This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • 14-15
  • 18+
  • 16-17

When

1-2pm

Finds Identification Day

25 July 2013

This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July). Appointments can be made to identify finds for other times during the festival if members of the public cannot make 18th and 25th July. Call 01204 332211 for more details. This event is part of the Festival of Archaeology (13 – 28 July).

Suitable for

  • 11-13
  • 16-17
  • 14-15
  • 18+

When

From 10am

Super Saturday logo

Super Saturday: Sports Day

27 July 2013

Join us for our ‘Super Saturdays’ on the last Saturday of every month, a range of free events for the whole family. Activities include a free Family Trail, Crafts, Storytelling, Object Handling and more. Activities are free and there’s no need to book.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

11am-3pm

Cinema at the Crescent - Shark Tale

10 August 2013

Families can also make a 3D hanging fish from 1pm – 1.30pm. Light refreshments can be purchased. Entry to the film screening is £1 per person, entry to the craft activity is free.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

From 1pm

Admission

£1 per person

Silver Screenings - Gone with the Wind

14 August 2013

Films range from Hollywood classics to book adaptations. Light refreshments provided. Entry £3 per person, no need to book.

Suitable for

  • 16-17
  • 18+
  • 14-15
  • 11-13

When

2-4pm

Underwater

Super Saturday: Life Beneath the Waves

31 August 2013

Activities include a free Family Trail, Crafts, Storytelling, Object Handling and more. Activities are free and there’s no need to book.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-3pm

Silver Screenings - Some Like It Hot

11 September — 14 August 2013

Films range from Hollywood classics to book adaptations. Light refreshments provided. Entry £3 per person, no need to book.

Suitable for

  • 11-13
  • 16-17
  • 18+
  • 14-15

Cinema at the Crescent - Night at the Museum

14 September 2013

Light refreshments can be purchased. Entry to the film screening is £1 per person, entry to the craft activity is free.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

1-4pm

Admission

£1 per person

Super Saturday logo

Super Saturday: Textile Treasures

28 September 2013

Join us for our ‘Super Saturdays’ on the last Saturday of every month, a range of free events for the whole family. Activities include a free Family Trail, Crafts, Storytelling, Object Handling and more. Activities are free and there’s no need to book.

Suitable for

  • Any age

When

11am-3pm

Test tube

Super Saturday: Manchester Science Festival

26 October 2013

Activities include a free Family Trail, Crafts, Storytelling, Object Handling and more. Activities are free and there’s no need to book.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-3pm

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

Online Resources for Schools at Bolton Museum

http://www.crescentactivitybank.co.uk

Crescent Activity Bank is our our new on-line learning resource for secondary schools, available at www.crescentactivitybank.co.uk.


Teachers can remotely access learning resources that complement the collections and services we offer. The site has access to free online school resources which include; museum object and equipment loan boxes, tailor made workshop sessions, suggested lesson plans, and practical activities supported by videos and image packs. Subjects include Design and Technology, Science, History, Art and Geography.

Publisher

  • Bolton Library and Museum Services

How to obtain

Free online resource

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