Pen Museum is a museum in Birmingham, United Kingdom dedicated to educating visitors about the history of Birmingham's steel pen trade.
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of pens and calligraphy and explore our amazing collection of over 5,000 objects related to the Birmingham steel pen trade and the history of writing.
The Pen Museum tells the story of Birmingham’s important role in the information revolution.
Discover how the Jewellery Quarter was home to over 100 factories manufacturing the ‘Birmingham pen’ which supplied 75% of the world’s pens during the 19th Century.
THE MUSEUM
Start your visit in the main exhibition and gift shop areas, before visiting the ‘Pen Room’, which aims to recreate a traditional pen factory. Have a go at some of the manufacturing processes involved in producing steel pen nibs and learn about the tough lives of the female pen workers as they churned out thousands of pieces per day. The Museum continues with the Philip Poole Room which includes further displays including the temporary exhibition area.
Children (and adults) can immerse themselves in the museum’s ‘clocking-in’ trail, a Victorian schoolroom, and more.
OUR COLLECTION
Amongst our collections, we have examples of nibs from all of the local pen manufacturers, as well as specialty items such as musical stave nibs. The museum also houses a range of objects associated with the pen trade and the history of writing, including inkwells, escritoires and period retail packaging from all over the world.
It is the most comprehensive collection of its kind in the country.
Tuesday to Saturday: 11am – 4pm
Sunday: 1pm – 4pm
Closed 25th, 26th December & January 1st.
Last admission is 45 minutes before the museum closes.
PRICES
Adult: £5.00 / Gift Aid: £5.50*
Concession: £4.00 / Gift Aid: £4.40* (Adults 65 and over)
Students: £4.00 / Gift Aid: £4.40*
Children under 16 go free.
Disabled adult visitors pay standard adult admission but can bring a free carer/personal assistant.
*Gift Aid admission prices include a 10% voluntary donation, and by paying this you enable the Museum to reclaim the tax back on the whole amount paid as part of the Government Gift Aid Scheme. For us, that’s currently worth an extra 25p for every pound you give which means your donation will provide more support for our work.
ACCESS AND FACILITIES
Museum Shop with a range of writing equipment and accessories, greetings cards, books and souvenirs of your visit to the Pen Museum.
As the Pen Museum is located in a listed historic building, wheelchair access to some areas is limited. A toilet with disabled access and a baby changing facility is available to all visitors.
