What’s On This Summer – Talks, Tours and More
Take time to explore, discover and be inspired this summer with our programme of talks, guided tours and special events for adults. Delve deeper into our collections, uncover fascinating stories, and enjoy engaging experiences designed to bring history and heritage to life. Learn more in this leaflet.
Conversational Workshop: Curator Spotlight
Wednesday, 8 July & 12 August | 2pm – 4pm | Special Collections Gallery
On the second Wednesday of the month, get closer to The Harris collection with one of our Curators.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Harris Highlights: The John Weld Collection with Harris Volunteer Ann
Thursday, 9 July | 12.30pm – 1pm | Special Collections Gallery
Personal insights into The Harris’ collections – chosen, researched and shared by our wonderful volunteers.
Learn about the work of a gifted artist who recorded Lancashire buildings and wildlife in the 19th century.
Hear Ann’s experience translating John Weld’s notes and coming up close and personal with his work.
Booking required, Free.
Talk: Tom Finney – His Life in Pictures by Ian Rigby and Michael Barratt
Thursday, 9 July | 6pm – 7pm | The Reading Room
Join Preston North End historian Ian Rigby for a pictorial walk through of the life and career of Preston’s greatest ever footballer, Sir Tom Finney.
Booking required, Free
Pride of Preston: The Dick, Kerr Ladies 1917 to 1965
Saturday, 11 July | 2pm | The Reading Room
Join renowned football historian, Gail Newsham, for her illustrated talk ‘Pride of Preston: The Dick, Kerr Ladies 1917 to 1965’. Learn about the Lancashire lasses who broke records and defied convention, paving the way for women’s football today.
Booking required, Free
The Birley Exhibition – In Conversation: Jayne Simpson and Ella Marie Thornhill
Thursday, 16 July | 6pm – 7pm | The Art Gallery
Join us for an informal conversation with Birley artists Jayne Simpson and Ella Marie Thornhill, hosted by Paulette Brien, Curator at the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool.
Booking required, Free
Harris Highlights: Why War?
Sunday, 26 July | 2pm – 3pm | The Reading Room
Personal insights into The Harris’ collections – chosen, researched and shared by our wonderful volunteers. Take a deeper look into the thought provoking painting “Why War?” led by our knowledgeable Harris Volunteer Gary.
Booking required, Free
The Birley Exhibition – In Conversation: Roberta Cialfi and Sarah Grant
Thursday, 20 August | 6pm – 7pm | The Art Gallery
Join us for an informal conversation with Roberta Cialfi and Sarah Grant, hosted by Jayne Simpson.
To learn about their practice, their works on display in the Birley exhibition and their pairings with works from The Harris collection.
Booking required, Free
Vinyl Revival
Thursday, 23 July, 6 & 20 August | 6pm – 7.30pm | The Harris Café
Think book club but vinyl, you set the agenda. Every fortnight we will reflect on a title of your choice. Come along and chat about your favourite album, sit back then give your opinion, as others reminisce about theirs.
Drop-in, Free
Where Tourists Seldom Tread: Postcards from Bypassed Britain by Chris Moss
Thursday, 30 July | 6.30pm – 7.15pm | The Studio
Dubrovnik or Doncaster? Corfu or Crewe? A safari in Kenya or an abandoned zoo on the Isle of Man? Palma de Mallorca – or Preston? Take Your Pick.
Booking required, £5
Battle of Preston 1715 Guided Walk
Sunday, 9 & 23 August at 1pm – 3pm | Discover Preston Gallery
Meet award-winning Blue Badge Tourist Guide Gregory Wright in our Discover Preston gallery to see the death mask of Jacobite Commander, The Earl of Derwentwater, and then head out on this guided walk to discover the battlefield on the streets of Preston, where Jacobite and Government armies clashed – a battle that could have changed the course of British history.
Booking required, £10
Curator-Led Tour: A Horrible History of Preston
Wednesday, 19 August at 1pm – 2pm & Thursday, 27 August 6pm – 7pm | The Harris
From failed stone age hunts to stinky streets, discover the gruesome history of Preston in this exclusive curator-led tour of The Harris, with all the nasty bits left in!
Drop-in, Booking required.
