The Museum

About the Museum

shabtisquareAs one of the first purpose built free museums to open outside of London in 1874, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery houses a rich and fascinating collection covering fine art, decorative art, Egyptology, coins, manuscripts, natural history, social history and South Asia.

iconsquareWith over 1000 Japanese prints, 5000 examples of coins and money, 500 books and manuscripts and largest icon collection outside London, you certainly won’t be short of things to see. Museum Entrance Gate

What’s On

Get Crafty Session at Blackburn MuseumFor events, exhibitions, talks, workshops and children’s activities please see our What’s On section.

Roof Renovation work at Blackburn Museum

Our Arts Council England and Department for Culture, Media and Sport MEND funded roof renovations are nearing completion and we still have scaffolding in place affecting the external appearance of the Museum but there will be full accessible entrance to the public.

We are open as usual with the exception of our Hart Room and its collections (Icons/Coins/Medieval Manuscripts/Japanese Prints). The Hart Room will remain closed until summer 2024.

For further information, please email museum@blackburn.gov.uk

Hire the Museum

Victorian Gallery, photo Catherine CatonThe Museum is available to hire for corporate and social events, with flexible and interesting spaces. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Museum Friends and Partners

launchofexhibitionThe Friends of Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery were founded in 1982 to help in promoting and supporting the Museum. Visit their website here.

Contact Us

Phone, post and email contact details.
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Visiting the museum

Opening times, directions and access information.
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Videos about the collections

Watch videos about the museum and its collections. Sir Brian Vickers speaks about the museum's Shakespeare folios.
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