Blackburn Museum

25/06/2026

🏛️ Staff Pick!

Claire, one of our Visitor Services Assistants, is sharing one of her favourites currently on display in our Skill & Labour Gallery 🖼✨

"I like the oak chair because it really resonates with me. My family has a similar chair at home which we have had for generations. They farmed in Mellor back to the 16th century and would use the chair to sit in, especially at lambing time. Often they would stay up all night with poorly lambs and put them in the side drawer to keep them warm."

Thanks for sharing your favourite Claire! 👏

23/06/2026

The National Festival of Making is still on the look out for volunteers! 🤩

The festival takes place on Saturday the 4th & Sunday 5th July 2026 all over Blackburn Town Centre. 🤩

To volunteer and find out more information visit: https://festivalofmaking.co.uk/festival/volunteer/

23/06/2026

Festival Spotlight: Indian Dance & Storytelling with ⁠
⁠
Jump on the Maharajas’ Express Train and journey across the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains. ⁠
⁠
Join in the fun of the colourful Bhangra dance across the farmlands of Punjab, visit the street markets of New Delhi, full steam ahead to the Taj Mahal, and party Bollywood style in the streets of Mumbai!⁠
⁠
Expect vibrant music, dynamic moves, and lots of spectacular colour in this interactive storytelling experience. Sing, dance and clap along to the beat!⁠
⁠
Performances last approx 20 mins. No booking required, just turn up at the start times!⁠
⁠
Learn more and explore the programme online now! 🔗 ⁠https://festivalofmaking.co.uk/whats-on/
⁠

22/06/2026

Painter Henry Moore died in 1895. The British artist spent most of his life studying and painting the ocean, both onshore and sea. He became one of the greatest marine painters ever had! ⛵️

“Rough Weather in the Mediterranean” was first sketched whilst Moore was sailing across the Mediterranean Sea. Once returned to land, Moore painted this work using the sketch he had made on the journey.

🖼 Rough Weather in the Mediterranean c.1874 by Henry Moore
Purchased at a sale through Mssrs Brown and Rose, Liverpool, 1908
Art UK
🔗 https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/rough-weather-in-the-mediterranean-153896

21/06/2026

Today is Summer Solstice! ☀️

Artists have long been inspired by the natural world, including Albert Joseph Moore!
In our collection we have Moore's 'The Loves of the Winds and the Seasons' c.1893, it was the last and largest of his.

Did you know each figure in this piece represents either a wind or season? It depicts the natural world going through its annual cycle from wintry sky, through sunshine to rain, from frost through spring, and summer flowers to autumnal apples. 🌧🌤🍂🌻

🖼 'The Loves of the Winds and the Seasons' c.1893 by Albert Joseph Moore
🏛 Purchased, 1913
Art UK
🔗 https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/the-loves-of-the-winds-and-the-seasons-153895

20/06/2026

18/06/2026

🦴 Discover Fossils at Blackburn Museum! 🦕

Join us for an exciting introduction to the world of fossils! Children will explore fascinating questions such as:

🔍 What is a fossil?
🌍 How are fossils made?
⭐ Why are fossils important?

Your pupils will handle a range of fossil animals and think about the environments the animals might have lived in.

For booking details and more information, click the link below!
🔗

Visit our Sessions page to view our full range of available Sessions and Activities. Each session or activity page has an Enquire form to allow you to submit your enquiry.

17/06/2026

🌍✨ Celebrate Refugee Week 2026 in Blackburn with Darwen
📅 15–21 June 2026.

🌍✨ Celebrate Refugee Week 2026 in Blackburn with Darwen
📅 15–21 June 2026.

Join us for a week of events celebrating the strength, creativity and contributions of refugees in our community. Refugee Week is all about bringing people together, building understanding and creating a more welcoming borough for everyone 💙

There’s something for all ages happening across the week, including:
🍲 International Food Festival
☕ Coffee mornings & global tea events
🎭 Cultural performances & exhibitions
🎥 Film screenings
🎤 Community storytelling & discussion events

📍 Events are taking place right across Blackburn & Darwen – many are FREE and open to all

🖼️ Don’t miss highlights like Portraits of Courage at Blackburn Cathedral - Events and cultural showcases at Blackburn Museum

👉 Check out what’s on and get involved:
https://refugeeweek.org.uk/events/

Kairos Housing ARC Blackburn Community Harmony Project Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise - DARE Blackburn Museum Blackburn with Darwen Library and Information Service Blackburn Cathedral - Events

17/06/2026