In the newly re-opened Norton Priory Museum a small group of museum professional from numerous organisations across the North West gathered to listen to case studies from organisations that have successfully established and developed partnerships with universities to aid their research and develop new income streams. Frank Hargrave, Director of Norton Priory, welcomed everyone and started the day’s presentations with ...

The NWFed is pleased to announce the appointment of new Board member, Alex Walker, who is currently acting as the North West's representative of the Museums Association. Despite recently retiring from her position as Head of Arts and Heritage at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Alex is continuing to remain highly active within the sector across the North West and nationally. Alex recently become ...

Local Warrington man Roger Hunt, a member of the World Cup-winning England team in 1966, signs up as the first patron of our new membership scheme, with Culture Warrington’s board chair Maureen Banner.  Image Courtesy: Culture Warrington. The team at Culture Warrington have always been dedicated to making the town a thriving centre of activity and work tirelessly to promote ...

Earlier this year the Museums Association launched a new online database called Find a Museum.  A valuable and useful online tool, it allows anyone working for an institution with membership of the Museums Association to search for information about other museums collections, find contact details for fellow museum professionals, search relevant academic courses and find qualified training providers. Having rolled ...

  The Harris Museum has a nationally important 12,500 item strong numismatic collection which was formerly underused. The Money Matters Project funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation started in 2014 has transformed how this fantastic collection is used. As well as repacking and cataloguing the collection, the project has allowed the Harris to network with other museums and share expertise. As ...

Installation of the giant deer skeleton in the Geology Gallery at the Manx Museum. Photo by John Caley, copyright Manx Museum and National Trust In a recent blog for the Museums Association the former Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor  raised his concerns about the curatorial strength in museums outside London becoming “a very serious issue”.  Now retired and acting as ...

  As you approach Runcorn's Norton Priory site, tucked behind a modern industrial estate, there is very little clue of this 12th century monastery site's historical significance.  Currently undergoing significant redevelopment as part of a HLF funded capital project 'Monastery to Museum 900', the priory is due to reopen its doors this coming August showcasing a fully redeveloped museum and newly conserved undercroft. As the most excavated ...

Manx National Heritage, the organisation responsible for protecting and promoting the Isle of Man’s heritage and culture, has come up with a brand new iMuseum http://www.imuseum.im/ giving its online audiences an even better view of the nation’s history and collections. As well as the collections, the iMuseum is the Isle of Man’s definitive online family history resource with free access ...

NWFed Members, Manx National Heritage, have been busy working with the team at Isle of Man Advertising & PR towards the design and production of a new series of guidebooks. The new series, funded by the Manx Museum and National Trust, are being researched by Manx National Heritage staff to help promote the island's heritage and unlock the history behind its numerous heritage sites. Having just ...

Museum Development North West is an Arts Council England funded development programme. The programme aims to offer developmental support to drive sustainability, resilience and innovation within England's accredited museums. The programme also works towards helping museums fulfil the five strategic goals set out in Great Art and Culture for Everyone. ...

The Trust was formed in 2000 following the discovery in 1998 of an Iron Age ditch in the garden of The Old Vicarage next to Mellor Church.  Excavations continued to 2009 and have been described as the largest excavation for a generation of a hillfort in North West England "with results as important as those at Beeston Castle". ...

Discover the people and places of Wigan Borough both past and present at the Museum of Wigan Life.  Holding over 30,000 objects relating to life in Wigan Borough, past and present, the museum's collections include fine art, archaeology, social history, natural history, coins, decorative art and industrial history. ...