Set up in 2006, the Deaf Museum and Archive has grown into a credible national collection consisting of numerous artefacts and paper archive collections of all kinds. It is run by the British Deaf History Society and was originally based at 11-13 Wilson Patten Street, Warrington but relocated to Empire Court, Museum Street when it outgrew the old premises. The Museum is working towards becoming an accredited specialist museum with the Arts Council which will hopefully open up wider audiences. We are truly the only museum in Britain that is specific to Deafness, Deaf communities and Deaf people.

The Museum in the new premises is attractively laid out allowing visitors to move around comfortably and with extra wall space, we are able to display more works of art. As a museum where some paintings have been funded by Art Fund grants, we are obliged to allow people who are members of the National Art Pass Scheme to come in and see our paintings whenever we are open.

Normally, however, the Museum and Library is open during office hours (9 am to 3 pm) on Tuesdays and by special arrangement from time to time, including some evenings. Specific Open Days are arranged several times a year to allow visits from school groups, universities and deaf social clubs who especially welcome. We have had researchers and visitors from all over the world to access our archives which are stored in a large attic depositiry. We sometimes get people “dropping in” to look round the museum, but as the premises are sometimes used for meetings or training events or are otherwise not available to open due to staff absences, it would be appreciated if prior notice was given of intention to visit. It is not unusual for coach parties to make visits to the Museum.

The Deaf Museum takes part in the National Heritage Week organised by Culture Warrington’s Museum and Art Gallery every September together with the Police Museum and the Freemasonry Museum which are almost next door to the Deaf Museum.

The displays, Library and archives are maintained entirely by a Curatorial Team of volunteers working to a loose programme involving conservation, cataloguing, changing displays. It is an ongoing task and more volunteers will be welcome to join the team.

Those wishing to know more about the museum, arranging a visit or volunteering are requested to contact deafmuseum@bdhs.org.uk for further information.

Special “Open Days” have been arranged for some Saturdays during 2017 as follows:

• May 27
• July 22
• September 30
• October 28
• November 25

Please note that the Museum will only open if prior notice is received of intended visits.

In addition, the Museum will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7, 8 & 9 September 2017 as part of the National Heritage Week.