The Pen Museum

Admission & Opening Times

Admission to the Museum is FREE  Donations are appreciated.

The Pen Museum is run entirely by volunteers and relies on membership, donations and sales to run the museum.

(Group Bookings by Prior Arrangement suggested donation £2 per head)

Meeting Room for hire ask for details. 

Open every day

Monday to Saturday 11am to 4pm
Sunday 1pm to 4pm

Telephone: 0121 236 9834

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Unit 3 The Argent Centre
60 Frederick Street
Hockley
Birmingham
B1 3HS

How to Find Us

Joint Educational Project

Jewellery Quarter Heritage Day June 3/13
Project development began in August 2012 with discussions between the Pen Museum management group and Sheree Tucker (English Heritage Education Co-ordinator)
The initial idea involved bringing schools in and around the jewellery quarter into a joint education project. This would utilise heritage sites in the area to provide access for students and teachers to experience the history located almost on their doorstep. Schools within walking distance would be approached to gauge their interest in a pilot scheme.
Perry Beeches 2 a new free school which had recently opened in Newhall Street was approached by Sheree to gain their opinion of a 'taster day' for the students.
They responded positively and towards the end of September 2012 Sheree met with the PB 2 history teacher to start preliminary planning.
Heritage sites to be included were, The Pen Museum, Newman Brothers Coffin Works, and Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, J.W. Evans Silversmiths and Warstone Lane Cemetery. Bringing together heritage organisations, Birmingham Museums Trust, The Pen Museum, Birmingham Conservation Trust, and English Heritage. Final agreement and a go-ahead from the Headteacher for the visit to take place was completed in May2013'. Year 7 pupils from the school were divided into 8 groups of 10 -15 pupils plus teachers and some sixth form pupils Thanks must be extended to the organisations involved in bringing the project to fruition and volunteers and employees of all the sites visited. Plus of course students and staff from the school for making the day a success. We hope this project will develop into regular visits for students in groups to the jewellery quarter.

What We Do

Statement of Purpose

"To promote and preserve the history and legacy of the steel Pen Trade in Birmingham, for the advancement of the education and benefit of the public.  To maintain a museum that showcases the skill and craftsmanship of the Pen Makers and their employees and also houses historic artefacts and ephemera related to the art of writing"

The Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association works to ensure that Birmingham's role in the importance of the pen trade is explored, appreciated and celebrated world-wide. We run a museum that is located in a former pen factory; The Pen Museum recalls the history of some of the companies involved in the trade. 

Annual General Meeting 2013 

The Pen Museum Annual General Meeting was held at the Museum on 15 June 2013 at 11.00 am. Many thanks to all those in attendance, we were pleased to welcome new members as well as welcoming many of our current members. Guest speaker Professor Nigel Hall presented an excellent talk entitled "Designed to Disappear" Looking at the history of erasable writing technologies. A very well received light buffet lunch was provided to round off a very successful event.  

Learning Opportunities

The Pen Museum can offer opportunities to GCSE, NVQ, A-level and university students. In particular, we can offer local history to students and their families, curriculum enrichment activities e.g. at the end of academic year and work experience. Please contact the museum for details or visit in person to discuss. 

Stakeholder Survey

The Pen Museum is asking our Stakeholders to complete a survey to help us plan our future key objectives.

This survey is open to everyone who is a member, funder, visitor or volunteer.

Responses are anonymous.

We value your input and thank you for completing the survey.

Click here to take survey

Amazon UK

The Pen Museum is a member of the Amazon's Associates scheme. Shop at Amazon via our link and we receive a referral fee of between 5% and 10%. What you buy costs the same but we receive the referrer's commission. Amazon Associates accounts record items purchased but does not allow us access to customer details, therefore puchases remain anonymous. Thank you for your support.  

Click on the banner to be taken to the main Amazon website.

Meet the Expert

Birmingham Thintank 28 May 2013

May Half-Term, which means Meet the Expert and Meet the Scientists events at Thinktank Birmingham. The Pen Museum team of Hanna, Margaret, Larry and Brian,welcomed at least 400 visitors to our stand. Thinktank officially welcomed 1,409 customers some great publicity for the world famous Pen Museum. Many thanks  to Lynsey Fairweather (Participation Co-Ordinator) for playing a great host on the day. We will do it all again in October!

Pen Room

The museum contains a large collection of around 5,000 objects related to the Birmingham Steel pen trades and the history of writing. The collections including items of factory machinery plus other hand-on objects are situated over three ground floor gallery spaces and includes a community meeting space which is available for hire. There are plenty of activities for families including a Victorian school room, special museum trails and interactive machines.

Galleries are themed including 'The Pen Room' where the processes involved in making of steel pens are demonstrated and visitors can make their own nib.

Philip Poole Room

The 'Philip Poole Room' which also features our gift shop area and further displays related to manufacturers involved in Birmingham pen making industries.Fantastic objects including the nib pyramid and Hinks Wells Star all made from steel nibs..

Dashboard

Thank You Visitors and Stakeholders we really appreciate your support please continue to spread the word!

Visitors in 2013 5,206

Volunteers 40

Twitter Followers 751 

Facebook Likes 270

Carl Chinn Meeting Room 

Hire cost £15 per hour '(Terms apply)

Suitable for: Lectures, Seminars, Talks, Training Sessions and Activity Workshops.

Seating can be arranged for up 25 delegates depending on chosen layout.

Facilities: Interactive Whiteboard- Multi Media Projector - Tea & Coffee Making

Wi-FiInternet Access - P.A. System - Hearing Aid Loop System 

Book Now and enjoy the surroundings of the Argent Centre and Museum.  

Birmingham Made Me.

The Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO 6 – 21June, Millennium Point, is a project of the 'think and do' tank, Idea Birmingham. It has been developed to promote innovative, authentic and great brands designed and made in Birmingham and the Midlands. The Museum is taking part in the 'open doors' event inline with the Design Expo. Come along and make a nib for that Birmingham Made Me moment!

Gift Shop 

The Pen Museum hosts a gift shop which sells themed gifts, literature and resources. Pop into the Shop when visiting the museum. Items available include handmade items from local craftsman Bob Mercer and Steve Millington and books from local author Norman Bartlam and Pen Museum books.