Home > What to do in Preston > Museums in Preston > The Harris Museum & Art Gallery
The Harris Museum and Art Gallery , is a quality assured visitor attraction(VAQUAS). It houses a major collection of historical and contemporary fine and decorative art in the beautiful surroundings of a Grade I listed building, as well as the Story of Preston gallery of social history. The museum's displays of British oil paintings and sculpture, textiles, costume, glass and ceramics are complemented by a programme of temporary exhibitions, events and activities for all the family, including an international contemporary art programme. Use the search facility for specific Harris events.
Free Admission.
The stunning new £400,000 Ceramics and Glass Gallery at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, was unveiled on Wednesday 14 May 2008. With over 1,000 objects on show, the elegant new displays include items never previously shown, alongside pieces from over 2,500 years old, to desirable contemporary works. The new gallery unravels the sometimes surprising stories about ceramics and glass through the ages.
Television personality and renowned antiques expert Eric Knowles has been working with the Museum and multi-media company Spiral Productions, on the recording the Museum's innovative new digital audio-visual guide to the Ceramics & Glass collection. Eric Knowles commented on the significance of the Harris Museum to the city of Preston,
"The Harris Museum & Art Gallery is an unsung treasure house, not only within the UK but worldwide. The people of proud Preston are incredibly fortunate to have this magnificent building on their doorstep, as no matter what your interests are in the world of art there is something for everyone to enjoy."
Leading international glass engineers Meyvaert, who have previously worked with the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre, have custom designed and installed new state-of-the-art display cases for the Harris Museum.

Harris Museum,
Market Square,
Preston, PR1 2PP
Tel: 01772 258248
Web: www.harrismuseum.org.uk
Opening: Mon - Sat 10am -5pm. Except Tues 11am - 5pm
Houses a major collection of historical and contemporary fine and decorative art in the beautiful surroundings of a Grade I listed building.
Home to the WORLD'S most important footballing collections including the official FIFA Collection and admission is FREE!
Take a stroll along a 1940's street, take cover in the Anderson shelter when you hear the air raid siren and watch out for the unexploded bomb!
Opened to Sept '05. Experience a mile and a half dock and riverside line in all the romance of a traditional steam engine.
Has a compelling story to tell. It represents one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United Kingdom.
Tells the story of the Lancashire Lads who came to from Preston and the towns of Lancashire to serve in their regiment and still do to this day.
Full programme of Whats On at the Harris
A list of exhibitions, events, tours and family activities at teh Harris Museum & Art Gallery