To spot the Harris Museum, look ahead for a grand, stone building glowing with soft golden light-its tall Neo-Classical columns and a wide pediment towering over the Flag Market, making it stand out like a stately palace in the night.
Now, imagine yourself right here in the late 1800s. Preston was buzzing with excitement: families, shopkeepers, even the odd fisherman, were all dreaming of a place that would hold the wonders of art, books, and history-a place where anyone, no matter how muddy their shoes, could feel clever. At the heart of this dream was a generous man named Edmund Harris, a lawyer who, just as he was about to hang up his wig for good, left £300,000 in his will-an enormous fortune at the time! With the town’s own fundraising efforts stacked high and Harris’s bequest, Preston set out to create this magnificent building you see in front of you.
Construction started during the famous Preston Guild of 1882, and, in true dramatic fashion, the new museum rose up in style different from anything locals had seen-a bold Neo-Classical building. Imagine all the townsfolk gasping at James Hibbert’s unusual design, because back then, everyone was mad for Gothic Revival towers and spires! Hibbert’s choice of grand columns, symmetry, and pure classical elegance was almost rebellious. And would you believe it? Unlike many other awe-inspiring museums, there’s not a single dramatic flight of steps at its entrance. Instead, there are welcoming doors right at ground level on all sides, a little like Preston saying, "Come on in, don’t trip!".
Above the entrance, take a look at that enormous pediment. There’s a sculpted scene, inspired by the grandmaster Raphael’s painting, The School of Athens, carefully brought to life in stone by Edwin Roscoe Mullins. At the centre, the ancient general Pericles holds court, surrounded by wise thinkers-an architectural “who’s who” of antiquity. And if you squint below, you’ll see the words, “To Literature, Arts and Science”-the museum’s proud motto, carved deep into its bones.
Now, step inside in your imagination. The Harris is not just a building, it’s an adventure in stone, mosaic and marble. Gaze up-yes, way up-over 120 feet to the top of the lantern tower, with balconies and halls spiralling around you like the world’s most educated beehive. Every step across the mosaic floors adds a soft echo to the cavernous hall. The original décor drew on the grandeur of Ancient Greece, Assyria, and Egypt, though today only a few of the Classical friezes survive, watching over you like wise old headmasters.
The displays inside are a treasure chest of stories. There’s the mysterious, ancient Poulton Elk-a 13,500-year-old skeleton speared by prehistoric hunters-reminding you just how far back “local history” can go. The walls are hung with artworks by famous hands, from Lucian Freud to Stanley Spencer, as well as Preston’s very own creative heroes. But don’t overlook the glass and ceramics gallery, where delicate British creations shimmer under spotlights.
A modern museum always keeps moving, and so does the Harris. Suspended dramatically in the central foyer, there’s a Foucault Pendulum, a swinging clock that ticks with the turning of the Earth itself, its butterfly-shaped plate winking different hours as you watch.
But don’t be fooled by all the marble and grand words-this place is for people. Preston’s renowned public library still welcomes everyone looking for adventure inside a book. Since 1916, when William Bramwell shelved his last book at the age of 81, librarians have jealously guarded collections of rare old tomes and illustrated children’s books, some dating back to the eighteenth century.
And in case you thought a grand old building was immune to a little sprucing up, the Harris is now getting an ambitious new lease on life. Thanks to a hefty National Lottery grant, it’s being lovingly restored-roofs, stone, secret original entrances (perfect for a dramatic arrival!), new lifts, and even a special area just for children to dream big.
Oh, and if you’ve played Preston Monopoly? There’s every chance you bought this very museum and charged your friends rent-though I hope you didn’t mortgage it for a few old hotels!
So while you stand below the glowing columns, remember: you’re not just seeing a museum, you’re stepping into the soul of Preston-a treasure trove of stories, proudly keeping the city’s mind and imagination alive.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the design, collections or the library, engage with me in the chat section below.
