Extended opening hours announced for Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery as it celebrates 150-year anniversary

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery has announced new opening hours from April.

The museum will open Tuesdays to  Saturdays from 11am to 4:45pm from the 2nd of April.

The increase in hours comes in the Museum’s 150th year which will be marked in June.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:

The museum is one of three national portfolio organisations in our borough, I am delighted that the Museum and Art Gallery will now open on Tuesdays, and an extra hour a day also.

It’s such a hidden gem in our town yet at the same time immensely valued.

Extensive renovations are now nearing completion and it’s a really exciting time to visit with lots planned for its big birthday in June.

The extended hours have been made possible through funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.

There’ll be free artist and family activities  throughout April when the new opening hours launch as well as a chance to see The Art Open exhibition, which is running until  April 13th

Artist Alexandra Gallagher has also collaborated with the museum to create limited edition posters and postcards of beautiful prints of iconic landmarks across Blackburn with Darwen to help mark the anniversary. All proceeds will be donated back to the museum to help stock their gift shop. These can be ordered  via her website: https://www.alexandragallagherart.com/blackburn-prints

The cultural institution was interestingly one of the very first purpose-built free museums to open outside of London. And it remains free to enjoy today.

It first opened its gates as Blackburn Free Library, Museum & Art Gallery in 1874.

Such was its popularity, that it was soon extended too and, in the 1970s, Blackburn Library moved to Town Hall Street to provide even more space.

Today, visitors can enjoy an impressive collection of important art, a fascinating Egyptian gallery and a wealth of items relating to social and natural history.

It’s also a key venue for the National Festival of Making, the British Textile Biennial and popular events, including Night at the Museum.

Find out more: www.blackburnmuseum.org.uk

You can also read more about the history of Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery in the latest edition of The Shuttle magazine. You can view an e-edition by clicking here.