Pen Museum

The Argent Centre, location of Pen Museum.

Pen Museum is a museum in Birmingham, United Kingdom dedicated to educating visitors about the history of Birmingham's steel pen trade. The only museum in the United Kingdom devoted to the history of the pen making industry, the Pen Museum explains how Birmingham became the center of the world pen trade.

The museum is run by the Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association a registered charity located in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, at the Argent Centre. The Argent Centre itself used to house a pen factory and is a Grade II* listed building. The museum was opened in April 2001, and in June 2002 the adjoining Philp Poole Room gallery opened. The Carl Chinn Library and Community Room opened in April 2011.

In the 19th century, around 100 companies distributed steel pens in Birmingham. The pen nibs produced were distributed worldwide, until the trade was overtaken by fountain pens and the ballpoint pen. The museum looks into the lives of the employers and workers involved in the business, as well as providing information on the pen companies. It also has information on how steel pen nibs were made and has pen nibs on display. Beyond the steel pen, the museum also aims to educate on other forms of writing equipment and on writing in general.

Information at the museum is given through displays and tours by volunteer guides, as well as through demonstrations and ‘hands on’ activities, such as writing with different kinds of pen, early typewriters and Braille machines, and making a pen nib using original factory presses. Entry to the museum is by admission, additional donations are appreciated.

Calligraphy lessons, run weekly every Saturday in the community room. The museum also hosts workshops for family and community groups on various themes, talks on pen trade history and provides for research into genealogy. The museum has a shop which sells books, pen and writing-related memorabilia and gifts.

See also

• Birmingham pen trade
• Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association
• Calligraphy
• Dip pen

External links

• The Pen Museum - Official Site
• Midlands Industrial Association