Permanent Display
1st Floor

The Story of Preston is a popular exhibition at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery. It is a fascinating exhibition that is enjoyed by a wide variety of visitors, from teachers to families, local residents to tourists.

The display, which is situated on the first floor, contains part of the Museum’s history collection alongside other historical items about Preston from the decorative and fine art collections.  Local archaeology highlights include the John Weld collection, the Poulton Elk, the Preston Dock Finds, Claugton Viking Brooches and part of the Cuerdale Coin Hoard. 

Other exhibition displays relate to the development of Preston as a market town and then to a centre for cotton manufacturing in the 19th century. Items on display here include a 17th century family portrait of a Puritan family who once lived on Fishergate; an early 19th century dolls’ house which belonged to the Pedder family who founded Preston's first bank and the Yard Works model of the huge cotton manufacturing complex once operated by Horrockses, made in 1913 for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the town.

The front windows of the gallery have been uncovered allowing visitors to enjoy spectacular views of the War Memorial, Market Square, Fishergate and St Walburge’s Church. The famous ‘Maudland Cock’ – the former weathervane from St Walburge’s has also been relocated to this end of the gallery so that visitors can see the historic spire where it was located from 1866 until 1931.

The museum has also produced material for schools and self-guided visits for school groups entitled History at the Harris covering three QCA units – Toys , Homes and The Past for Key Stage 2 history using the Story of Preston and the fine art collection. The resources include worksheets, lesson plans and images and are available to schools on CD at £10.00.  Please contact our education department on 01772 905405 for details.

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