Inspiring minds, shaping futures
The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, affectionately known as The Harris, stands as a testament to Preston’s rich cultural heritage. Our story begins in the latter half of the nineteenth century, a period of burgeoning interest in establishing free libraries, museums, and art galleries across Britain. In Preston, this movement had been gaining momentum since the 1850s, with community members actively fundraising to bring such an institution to the town.
However, it was a generous bequest in 1877 that truly set the wheels in motion. Edmund Robert Harris, a Preston lawyer, bequeathed £300,000 to Preston Corporation in memory of his father, the Reverend Robert Harris, who had served as vicar of St George’s Church for an impressive 64 years. A significant portion of this sum was earmarked for the creation of a new library, museum, and art gallery, a legacy that continues to enrich the lives of Preston’s residents and visitors.
Following this generous donation, a Free Public Library Committee was established. In 1878, Preston Town Council adopted the Public Libraries Act of 1850 and acquired the library and collections of the Literary and Philosophical Institution in Cross Street, an organisation that had been founded in 1810. By January 1879, Preston’s first public lending library opened its doors in the basement of the Town Hall. Simultaneously, a public museum and reference library, housing the esteemed Dr Shepherd Collection, was established in Cross Street.
The enthusiastic reception and success of these initial ventures spurred the committee to pursue the construction of a purpose-built building in the heart of Preston. This new structure would house both the library and museum, utilising the funds provided by the Harris Bequest. However, a stipulation in Edmund Robert Harris’s will prevented the bequest from being used for the acquisition of land. This necessitated an Act of Parliament, leading to the passage of the Preston Improvement Act in 1880. This Act authorised the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Preston to ‘provide a site for a Public Library and Museum’. Construction commenced in 1882, culminating in the official opening of the magnificent building in 1893.
Today, The Harris is managed by Preston City Council and stands as a proud guardian of its founders’ vision. The inscription on the building’s exterior, ‘The mental riches you may here acquire abide with you always,’ serves as a constant reminder of this enduring purpose. The Harris is now recognised as a leading museum and contemporary art venue in the region, attracting over 350,000 visitors each year. It seamlessly blends its commitment to the local community with the development of a national and international reputation for high-quality and innovative programmes.
The Harris is currently undergoing a significant transformation with the #HarrisYourPlace project. This ambitious undertaking aims to create the UK’s first blended museum, art gallery, and library. By bringing the museum and library together as a single, cohesive service and adopting community-led approaches to its programming, the project aims to deliver a major capital development by 2025.
The vision of the Victorian founders, encapsulated in the inscription ‘To Literature, Arts and Science’ on the building’s façade, was to establish the Harris Free Library, Museum & Art Gallery as a central hub for culture, arts, and learning in Preston. The goal today is to create a seamless, high-quality experience for visitors, offering audience-led museum, art gallery, and library services, alongside diverse cultural activities. This approach will also showcase the Grade I listed building and its collections more effectively.
Recent successes include increased visitor numbers, popular family-friendly exhibitions, a diverse events programme, a Makerspace in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and a series of sold-out live music events. The Harris has also become a founding member of the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network.
The Harris’s vision is to position itself at the centre of innovation and making, contributing to a sustainable future for both Lancashire and the city of Preston. Its mission is to invite everyone to celebrate the creative and cultural past, present, and future of the region. In the face of ongoing change and pressures, The Harris is committed to creating an asset that serves its 21st-century audiences, contributes to the future growth of Preston, and responds to the evolving landscape of public funding.
The Harris’s collections are among the finest in the region, including objects of national significance. Encompassing over 70,000 objects, these collections are a key focus of the organisation’s work. Through partnerships with other museums, universities, and specialists, the Harris employs the latest scientific techniques to uncover the stories behind these objects. These efforts have yielded fascinating discoveries, such as details about the origins of ancient human skulls unearthed during the 19th-century Preston Dock excavations.
The diverse collections include fine art (paintings, sculpture, drawings, and prints), costume and textiles, ceramics and glass, contemporary art (paintings, textiles, sculpture, and digital media), 1 historical artefacts from Preston and beyond, archaeological finds, historic books, and digital media.
Visit The Harris in Preston and explore a world of creativity and discovery. Immerse yourself in our impressive art collections, delve into local history, browse our extensive library, and enjoy a vibrant programme of events. Plus, experience our ongoing transformation as we create a truly unique cultural destination.
Just wanted to send over a quick thank you to Poppy Signs and their team for all your hard work they have done for the hoarding project – we’re really happy with the finished results and the speed of completion. Also, a special thank you to Melissa for doing such a great job with the designs and making some very short turn around edits.
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