Darwen Heritage Centre

Darwen Heritage Centre COMMUNITY | HERITAGE | ARTS Doctor James T Ballantyne later owned Holker House when he became Mayor in 1898. It was used as office space until 2015.

In the1870s Dr George Hindle built Holker House on Railway Road to the design of George Wightman of Darwen, He named it after Holker House, which comes from the family home of the Hindles in Hoddlesden which was built in 1591. To celebrate his Mayoral term, he presented the town with our town hall clock which still lets us know the time today. Subsequently it became the Divisional Education Office for Darwen Division until 1974, when it became the Area Education Architects' Office. From 1985 until 2005 it was used by Blackburn College. Unfortunately, it was abandoned by the College and allowed to fall into disrepair until acquired in late 2007 by Steven Milligan who meticulously renovated the building. In February 2016 The Livesey Foundation charity bought the house with intensions to make it available to the people of Darwen for a variety of community projects. Our intention is to make it available to the town for a variety of community purposes such as Charity/social meetings and events, exhibitions, venue for councilors, tourist information and much more. But most importantly it will become home to The Darwen Heritage Centre where we will be able to display to the world the history, culture, past and present of our amazing town! Holker House will be not-for-profit and will become a major attraction and community focal point for the town. If you would like to contribute to this exciting project, please contact us……..

The Huntington Bridge in Sunnyhurst Wood as pictured recently from both sides. Then some views of how the bridge looked...
26/10/2025

The Huntington Bridge in Sunnyhurst Wood as pictured recently from both sides. Then some views of how the bridge looked shortly after installation. Which do you prefer?

Here is a photo which appeared in the paper of a drawing of the almost finished Darwen Grammar School. What year do yo...
25/10/2025

Here is a photo which appeared in the paper of a drawing of the almost finished Darwen Grammar School. What year do you think this would have appeared in the paper?

Another photo from our recent donations shows the best photo I have seen of the Proclamation of King George V at the Cir...
24/10/2025

Another photo from our recent donations shows the best photo I have seen of the Proclamation of King George V at the Circus in Darwen. Baldock the Saddlers' shop can be clearly seen behind the stage set up. The horse sign outside the shop is now at Houghton's at the bottom of Bolton Road. Do you have any links with the saddlers of Darwen?

Taken from the same source as last night's photo of the Darwen Police we have a photo of the men in the Fire Service fro...
23/10/2025

Taken from the same source as last night's photo of the Darwen Police we have a photo of the men in the Fire Service from the same year. We know at least two people on this photo but can you help with the names of any in the photo?

The Darwen Heritage Centre Calendar for 2026 is available only at the Centre now. 12 original photos taken in the parks...
22/10/2025

The Darwen Heritage Centre Calendar for 2026 is available only at the Centre now. 12 original photos taken in the parks and open spaces around Darwen to brighten your days throughout 2026.

Looking through one of our more recent donations I came across this photo of the Darwen Police in 1938. Surnames and ra...
22/10/2025

Looking through one of our more recent donations I came across this photo of the Darwen Police in 1938. Surnames and rank included. Were any of these men ancestors of yours? What can you tell us about them? Note there are no women in the photo!

A quick look into the catalogue of the archives held at the Darwen Heritage Centre reveals these two items. As a child ...
21/10/2025

A quick look into the catalogue of the archives held at the Darwen Heritage Centre reveals these two items. As a child my Grandfather worked in Sales at Walpamur in Darwen and brought us these advertising gimmicks home at Christmas along with many other such items over the years. What did you have from the Walpamur Company?

Looking forward now to November and the next exhibition of paintings by Hubert Bentley. They will go on sale from Satur...
19/10/2025

Looking forward now to November and the next exhibition of paintings by Hubert Bentley. They will go on sale from Saturday 1st November so a great time to pick up a Christmas present with a difference. Opens 10 am on Saturday 1st November.

Last one for the time being - another Darwen building lost. Where was it, who used it and what did part of it become?
17/10/2025

Last one for the time being - another Darwen building lost. Where was it, who used it and what did part of it become?

Last night's photo was of Earnsdale, home to the Potters. If you enter Sunnyhurst Wood by the Potters Gate you will fin...
16/10/2025

Last night's photo was of Earnsdale, home to the Potters. If you enter Sunnyhurst Wood by the Potters Gate you will find this engraved tablet.

Last night's photo was recognised by many as the site of the later St George's Church at the junction of Harwood Street ...
15/10/2025

Last night's photo was recognised by many as the site of the later St George's Church at the junction of Harwood Street and Vale Street. Here is another Grand old house which has disappeared but do you know what it was called? Also, who lived there and what is there now?

Address

Railway Road
Darwen
BB32RG

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

01254433140

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Darwen Heritage Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Darwen Heritage Centre:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram