General Information

Information on our archives & resources...

Darwen Heritage Centre holds a wide range of archive materials which is constantly being added to, and a full catalogue of our collections is well under construction.  The catalogue is being updated each week as new materials arrive and the current version can be viewed at the Centre on request.  All the materials in our catalogue may be viewed at the Centre as we do not have a facility for lending items out.

Materials can be classified into the following types:

Artefacts

From cast iron mileage signs to Scout Uniforms; from Pub tokens to tram tickets; from clogs to a Lancashire Loom weaver’s tin – in ever changing displays – always something to see.

Booklets/Leaflets

A range of these has been collected so far and we are in the process of saving them as a digital archive, from the Civic Week Programme to King George V visit, Tudor Theatre Programmes to Church Centenary booklets.

Books

We have many books available for members of the public to read and use for research, including the familiar Potters, the famous red Walpamur book and Relief Decorations Design Book.

Documents

Indentures, Granting of Grave Space, Wills and Land Registry, School Board Certificates etc. – we are adding to our collection steadily.

Maps

A section of the 1890 Ordnance Survey map of Darwen Town Centre showing an unfamiliar view, to most, of the Circus as it was then.

Models

A range of models is on permanent display at the Centre, some of which are on loan from Darwen Library, others produced by Gerald Grimshaw in stone, plus more.

Paintings

An original painting by Reg Ball, former designer at Walpamur, is one of many paintings on display at the Centre. Many are of Darwen views, but all are by Darwen Artists.

Photographs

We hold a wide range of photographs from the 19th century to the modern day depicting Darwen and it’s development through the ages. The photographs are stored digitally in categories and can be viewed on the Centre’s computers.

Feel free to contact us or visit us for more!