Great to welcome Cllr Parwaiz Ahktar, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen to the Darwen Heritage Centre today.. A good time was had by all and the Mayor plus Denise Park, the Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen enjoyed their visit and showed a lot of interest in what we are doing at the Heritage Centre.

Silver Gilt Casket conferring Honorary Freedom of the Borough to James Cocker.

In early January we hope to have some museum – quality cabinets installed in our main exhibition room. We will then be able to display our caskets, that were presented to Aldermen when confirming their Freedom of the Borough.

These caskets have previously been stored in our safe but will be on display for all visitors to view in a very secure display cabinet. It will certainly be worth a visit to see them.

Casket given to Thomas Edward Holgate bestowing the Freedom of the Borough

New Exhibitions for 2024

An excellent new display by one of our volunteers, Angela, on Darwen Baths and Leisure Centre.

On our first day of opening for 2024  we put up a display that is quite different to our usual type of display. It is a display by the Write Now Darwen Creative Writing Group who meet twice each month at the Darwen Heritage Centre. All  contact details for the group can be found at the Darwen Heritage Centre. Do drop by and view this new display and learn about the writers group.

These three War Memorials have been loaned to DHC by St. Peters Church and are now on display at the centre.

EXAMPLES OF WALL COVERINGS MADE IN DARWEN

The original hand painted design from Paris used to create engraved rollers to surface print wallpaper. from 1897

Our Programme of Talks for 2024

13th March 2024

Harold Heys – James Hargreaves Morton, Darwen’s Finest Artist

10th April 2024

John Jacklin – The WM & BW Lloyd Charity Trust 

8th May 2024

Phil Calvey – Let’s us talk proper Darren

11th September 2024

Brian Hilton –  Spring Vale Station & Its Station Master, Thomas Knowles

9th October 2024

John Dalton – From the Higher Grade to the Grammar School in Pictures

13th November 2024

Albert Gavagan – Darwen Day 1944

Please check on our Facebook page or this website for any alterations or updates

The displays on offer at the Darwen Heritage Centre are always changing thanks to the efforts of our volunteers. Putting a display together takes a lot of time and care, from research through to final presentation.  If you fancy having a go and have a display in mind then why not come along and join the volunteers.