Category Archives: History

History of the area around Preston.

Harris Museum tour report, December 2024

Posted on 19 December 2024 by Pete of MIP

It’s the first time we’d been in the Harris Museum and needed hard hats and hi-viz jackets, but it was Friday the 13th.  Our tour was arranged for members of the Friends of the Harris as a preview of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Preston’s burning buildings – November 2024

Posted on 30 November 2024 by Pete of MIP

It’s unfortunate that two Grade II listed empty buildings in the middle of Preston have been damaged by fires in the last month. The first fire was in Mount Street at the old Grade II listed, St Joseph’s Orphanage on … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Preston’s burning buildings – November 2024

Tram Bridge has gone! Another walk in Preston 4th September 2024

Posted on 10 September 2024 by Pete of MIP

Another good walk in Preston:  Tram Bridge – Harris Institute – Edith Rigby House – St Wilfrids – Harris Museum – Upper Friargate plus bonus places The word is on the street is the Old Tram Bridge is gone.  Time … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Uncategorized, Walk in Preston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tram Bridge has gone! Another walk in Preston 4th September 2024

A walk to UCLan Preston in summer 23rd July 2024

Posted on 31 July 2024 by Pete of MIP

Many years ago this week, 23rd July, would have been Preston Wakes Week, usually 2 weeks.   The town closed down and everyone went to Blackpool.   The factories and shops were closed and even the newspapers weren’t delivered. Today was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Made in Preston, Walk in Preston | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on A walk to UCLan Preston in summer 23rd July 2024

The Ribble Steam Railway – Saturday 24th March 2024

Posted on 18 May 2024 by Pete of MIP

A short visit to the Ribble Steam Railway on Saturday 24th March 2024.   Furness Railway No. 20 being the star of the show.   Refurbishment of this was completed at the Furness Railway in their workshop at Preston.   Before that work … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Rail, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Ribble Steam Railway – Saturday 24th March 2024

A walk in Preston Centre and Beatrice Todd on International Women’s Day 8th March 2023

Posted on 6 April 2023 by Pete of MIP

Another walk around Preston.  This time it’s on International Women’s Day 8th March 2023.  It added some flavour when we reached Winckley Square as there had been a Blue Plaque mounted for Beatrice Todd, Suffragist.  On the square was a … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Retail | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A walk in Preston Centre and Beatrice Todd on International Women’s Day 8th March 2023

Well known Preston historian dies

Posted on 8 February 2023 by Pete of MIP

The death has been announced of Stephen Sartin who is well known in Preston heritage circles for his talks and books and worked at the Harris for many years.   Born in 1938 There are tributes in Blog Preston, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Made in Preston | Comments Off on Well known Preston historian dies

Book Review: Types and Shadows – A history of Preston City Parish

Posted on 8 January 2023 by Pete of MIP

Although published in 2015, we only recently stumbled upon this book in Preston Libary.   The library is now in the Guild Hall unfortunately while the Harris is refurbished, what a shame about the Guild Hall as well, but that’s another … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off on Book Review: Types and Shadows – A history of Preston City Parish

Covid 19 data in Preston March 15th 2021

Posted on 15 March 2021 by Pete of MIP

Preston appeared to have less Covid 19 than similar places in northwest England but in late February the slow decline left Preston in the top ten case areas in England and on some measures, it is said, at the top. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Covid 19 data in Preston March 15th 2021

Harris Art Gallery Exhibition – Beautiful and Brutal 50 years of Preston Bus Station

Posted on 1 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

An interesting display between 21st September and 24th November 2019 to mark the 50th year of Preston’s Bus Station and it’s car park.    Controversial because of its brutal style and that it was accessible to passengers only through subways … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Harris Art Gallery Exhibition – Beautiful and Brutal 50 years of Preston Bus Station

A Walk from Preston Station

Posted on 30 October 2019 by Pete of MIP

A lovely day 30th October 2019.   Just right for a walk in the country, a wander round some shops and pop into The Harris Museum and Art Gallery.  About 3 miles. Leaving the station in Butler Street, turn right towards … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on A Walk from Preston Station

Railway Anniversary Month and Strand Road closure

Posted on 30 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

August 1968 was the month of the last steam services.  Preston was involved in these services.   Also in August 2018 Alstom officially closed the Strand Road West Works were trams, trains and motors had been built for over a 100 … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Made in Preston, Rail, Technology | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Railway Anniversary Month and Strand Road closure

Dear Harris

Posted on 15 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

In honour of the hanging at the Harris. Dear Harris,   (abridged) Is your permanence set in stone? On the road to death do you tread? Frequented by the old, neglected by the young, But the young will polish your dreary … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Dear Harris

Courtaulds at the Harris

Posted on 1 April 2018 by Pete of MIP

The Preston Courtaulds factory operated from 1939 to 1981 producing Rayon.  The display at the Harris shows a video of its history along with worker’s stories, maps and a painting from the Courtauld Gallery in London.  The painting was selected … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Courtaulds at the Harris

Fulwood Barracks to be closed

Posted on 8 November 2016 by Pete of MIP

Grade 2 listed Fulwood Barracks, one of the few intact from its time, is to be closed as a barracks.   This follows a property revue by the Ministry of Defence who are to close several other older and smaller … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Fulwood Barracks to be closed

Victorian Slum

Posted on 27 October 2016 by Pete of MIP

In October on BBC2 a four part re-enactment of life in an East London Victorian Slum through 1860 to 1890.  Hard to believe this was only 120 years ago.  Living hand-to-mouth with no income for no work and no health provision. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Victorian Slum

Museum of Lancashire On Ice

Posted on 30 September 2016 by Pete of MIP

The Museum of Lancashire in Stanley Street closes on the 30th September except for school visits.  Negotiations are underway with a group who could re-open it in the new year. Other Lancashire County Council operated museums in a similar situation … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Not particularly Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Museum of Lancashire On Ice

Winckley Square Restoration Visit

Posted on 30 September 2016 by Pete of MIP

Winckley Square is being restored and work is well underway.  Paths are being resurfaced and a direction marker will be placed in the centre pointing to items of historical interest around the square.  The Peel statue will be cleaned and … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Winckley Square Restoration Visit

Heritage Open Days in Preston 2016 – 8 places

Posted on 31 July 2016 by Pete of MIP

In 2016 Heritage Open Days are Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September.   Here is the list of Preston venues: Lancashire Conservation Studios,  Saturday 10th September, Tours 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm. Harris Museum & Art Gallery,  Saturday 10th September, 10am to 5pm. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Heritage Open Days in Preston 2016 – 8 places

Lancashire Archives funding campaign for Horrocks Collection

Posted on 24 May 2016 by Pete of MIP

John Horrocks – A Textile Pioneer The Lancashire Archives are held in Bow Lane Preston and contain an extensive collection of textile information reflecting Lancashire’s position as the centre of the world’s textile industry in the 19th and early 20th … Continue reading →

Posted in Cotton, History, Made in Preston, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Lancashire Archives funding campaign for Horrocks Collection