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Harris Museum and Art Gallery and its collection

Harris Museum and Art Gallery
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The Harris Museum, a Grade I-listed building, is located in Preston, Lancashire, England. It was founded by Edmund Harris in 1877 and serves as a local history and fine art museum. The museum's establishment was made possible through the will of Edmund Robert Harris, a Preston lawyer, who left £300,000 to establish a trust and support a public library, museum, and art gallery with Preston Corporation.

Collections at the Harris Museum

The Harris Museum's collections are diverse, covering fine art, decorative art, costume, textiles, and history. This includes collections on archaeology and local history. The museum also has a permanent history gallery called Discover Preston, which covers Preston's history and includes a Discovery Room featuring the wider collections.

Renovation and Restoration Project

In October 2020, plans were submitted for a £10.7M renovation and restoration project called #HarrisYourPlace. The aim of this project is to establish the Harris as the UK’s first blended museum, art gallery, and library. The project includes conservation works on the roof, stonework, and basement to address the building's long-standing damp problem. It also plans to reveal some of the Harris’ original architectural details which have been hidden by previous building works.

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Art & Design Art & Design History & Anthropology History & Anthropology Ancient art Archaeology Historic house Medieval art & Early Renaissance art Modern art Renaissance art & Early modern art

#177 Art & Design in England #103 Free museums in England #35 Ancient art museums in England #83 Archaeology museums in England #38 Medieval art & Early Renaissance art museums in England #29 Modern art museums in England #25 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in England #143 Free museums in United Kingdom #40 Ancient art museums in United Kingdom #106 Archaeology museums in United Kingdom #49 Medieval art & Early Renaissance art museums in United Kingdom #38 Modern art museums in United Kingdom #31 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in United Kingdom

#177 Art & Design in England #103 Free museums in England #35 Ancient art museums in England #83 Archaeology museums in England #38 Medieval art & Early Renaissance art museums in England #29 Modern art museums in England #25 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in England #143 Free museums in United Kingdom #40 Ancient art museums in United Kingdom #106 Archaeology museums in United Kingdom #49 Medieval art & Early Renaissance art museums in United Kingdom #38 Modern art museums in United Kingdom #31 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in United Kingdom

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Harris Museum and Art Gallery
Market Square
PR1 2PP Preston

Images of Harris Museum and Art Gallery

Visitor information Harris Museum and Art Gallery

Opening hours

Monday
9:00 – 17:00
Tuesday
9:00 – 17:00
Wednesday
9:00 – 17:00
Thursday
9:00 – 17:00
Friday
9:00 – 17:00
Saturday
9:00 – 17:00
Sunday Closed
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Admission

0+Free
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Facilities

Wheelchair accessible
Museum shop
Coffee

Location & Map

Market Square, Preston

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Exhibitions

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Harris Museum and Art Gallery Reviews

Harris Museum and Art Gallery has 1 rating.

  • Apollo's Insights AI-Generated

    The Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston, England, is a cultural landmark that offers visitors a diverse collection of art and historical artifacts. The museum's grand Victorian architecture is impressive and serves as a fitting backdrop for its exhibits. The galleries feature a mix of fine art, including paintings and sculptures, as well as displays on local history and archaeology.

    Visitors often appreciate the museum's well-curated temporary exhibitions, which bring fresh and interesting content to complement the permanent collection. The art collection is particularly noted for its range, featuring both classical and contemporary works. The local history exhibits provide insight into Preston's past and are generally informative and engaging.

    The museum's central location in Preston makes it easily accessible, and many visitors appreciate that admission is free. The staff is generally described as friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience.

    However, some visitors note that certain areas of the museum could benefit from updates or renovations. The layout can be a bit confusing for some, and signage could be improved to help with navigation. Additionally, while the cafe receives positive mentions, some feel it could offer a wider selection.

    Overall, the Harris Museum and Art Gallery provides a good cultural experience, offering a blend of art and history that appeals to a wide range of interests. It serves as an important cultural institution for Preston, though there is room for some improvements to elevate the visitor experience further.

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  • Aggregated rating

    This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.

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