Making steel pen nibs in Birmingham during the Victorian era was a major industry with 129 companies employing circa 8,000 workers (mainly women). By visiting the Pen Museum, you will discover a wide range of fascinating objects and details that help tell the story of Birmingham's pen trade and its important legacy including the link between a prominent pen manufacturer (Josiah Mason) and the establishment of the University of Birmingham.
Throughout the Museum there are a range of activities for people of all ages to enjoy including writing with a quill and ink, using typewriters plus an exciting opportunity to make your own nib using the same machinery once operated by women workers in the 19th century. As a charity, we totally depend on our dedicated, experienced and loyal team of volunteers along with the generosity of donors and supporters.
Throughout the Museum there are a range of activities for people of all ages to enjoy including writing with a quill and ink, using typewriters plus an exciting opportunity to make your own nib using the same machinery once operated by women workers in the 19th century. As a charity, we totally depend on our dedicated, experienced and loyal team of volunteers along with the generosity of donors and supporters.
Services
The late Brian Jones MBE, a keen historian and pen enthusiast who edited 'People, Pens and Production' a definitive take of Birmingham's Steel Pen Trade, spearheaded the establishment of a museum dedicated to honouring and celebrating Birmingham's 19th Century steel pen trade. With the support and commitment of fellow enthusiasts (Larry Hanks, Colin Giles and Ray Handley) the Pen Museum duly opened in 2001.
The Pen Museum offers a characterful events room for hire in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter business district, only a few minutes' walk from the Jewellery Quarter Train and Metro Stations. Set in a grade II listed buiding built in 1863, it is a unique setting for team meetings, workshops, training and teaching.
Throughout the Museum there are a range of activities for people of all ages to enjoy including writing with a quill and ink, using typewriters plus an exciting opportunity to make your own nib using the same machinery once operated by women workers in the 19th century. Groups of 10 visitors and above should contact the Museum in advance to enable us to be prepared for a visit.
Whether you want to treat yourself, a loved one, friend or colleague - we have something for everyone! New and available in the shop checkout our range of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts writing related merchandise. Our Museum shop has an extensive range of writing implements for every occasion including hand crafted pens, nibs, calligraphy sets, feather quills and bespoke souvenirs.
As a charity, we totally depend on our dedicated, experienced and loyal team of volunteers along with the generosity of donors and supporters. Our wonderful visitors also provide regular income to help keep this part of Birmingham's important heritage alive. Being an independent Museum of charitable status with operating costs circa 60,000 per annum admissions, gift aid and donations are critical to our survival.
Reviews (19)
Manoranjan Muthusamy
Jan 24, 2022
Report
Reuben Carrdus
Jan 03, 2022
Report
This was a real surprise. It said we needed to book, but we stuck our head through the door and got onto a tour. The museum part was really interesting. I wasn't expecting a tour, but we got one and made our own nib too. Thoroughly interesting place, knowledgeable staff, so nice to visit something original in this world of vanilla commercial plastic. Hugely recommended
Diana
Dec 19, 2021
Report
We visited the Pen Museum today and we loved it!
It's a small museum but it has something for everyone. It is especially good if you have an interest in history.
There are 3 rooms. The first one has a large collection of pens, pen nibs and other related objects. There are also lots and lots of interesting facts related to the history of pen making. They have a little quiz to complete if you are interested.
In the second room you have the opportunity to watch a short video about the history of pens and then you can even have a go at making a pen nib yourself using a variety of machines!
The
It's a small museum but it has something for everyone. It is especially good if you have an interest in history.
There are 3 rooms. The first one has a large collection of pens, pen nibs and other related objects. There are also lots and lots of interesting facts related to the history of pen making. They have a little quiz to complete if you are interested.
In the second room you have the opportunity to watch a short video about the history of pens and then you can even have a go at making a pen nib yourself using a variety of machines!
The
Andrew Tunley Aj
Dec 17, 2021
Report
My partner & I visited with our two young children (the museum is pushchair friendly).
This is such a friendly museum. The staff are only too willing to share their time and experience with you.
The museum is divided into three rooms.
The first tells you about the history of pen making in Birmingham. There is a quiz for children and you will be amazed at some of the facts and figures.
The second room contains some of the equipment used to make nibs for the pens and you can have a go at making your own which you can take away. There is also a 10 minute video about this local industry.
The final
This is such a friendly museum. The staff are only too willing to share their time and experience with you.
The museum is divided into three rooms.
The first tells you about the history of pen making in Birmingham. There is a quiz for children and you will be amazed at some of the facts and figures.
The second room contains some of the equipment used to make nibs for the pens and you can have a go at making your own which you can take away. There is also a 10 minute video about this local industry.
The final
Keith Bracey
Dec 15, 2021
Report
A brilliant Birmingham small museum celebrating the #Birmingham Pen 🖊 trade. In the 19th century at one time 70% of all things that were written down were written down with a Birmingham made pen 🖊 and at this highest point of the Birmingham pen trade there were 129 Birmingham pen makers operating in the City of Birmingham @PenMuseum celebrates the Birmingham pen 🖊 trade and the export of #Birmingham made pens 🖊 around the #British #Empire and the consequent export of literacy, literature and writing from Birmingham Warwickshire the home of the Bard of Avon: the home of the greatest
Brianne Jones
Oct 14, 2021
Report
Tom M.
Oct 11, 2021
Report
A truly fascinating, informative museum that recognises the importance that Birmingham played, not only the national, but international stage as a manufacturer of pens. Loved the level of information and interaction including manufacturing our own pen nib. The volunteer team are a true credit to the museum. A must visit in Birmingham.
Annette Ho
Oct 09, 2021
Report
Exceptionally wonderful experience - you will definitely understand a lot about the Victorian pen industries in Birmingham and be touched by the expert volunteers’ sincere and passion guided tour. Probably you will dig out your own fountain pen from your garage and love writing again!!
Worth to go for a relaxing weekend afternoon 👍
Worth to go for a relaxing weekend afternoon 👍
Max
Oct 09, 2021
Report
Justin Smith
Dec 11, 2019
Report
Anne Clark
Jun 22, 2019
Report
Zulfikri Omar Ali
Sep 07, 2018
Report
Alex N.
Feb 01, 2015
Report
This place is so wonderful and the volunteers are just fantastic (yep - they are volunteers; if you visited before and thought the place was amazing, now go back and realise it's even more special when you know the people telling you all you could ever want to know about the pen trade in Brum are giving their time for free!).
What I particularly liked about this place was the hands on nature - Yes I want to have a go on the type writer! Yes I want to make my own pen nib! Yes I want to try writing with a quill and get my hands covered in ink.
Once of several really fantastic museums in the
What I particularly liked about this place was the hands on nature - Yes I want to have a go on the type writer! Yes I want to make my own pen nib! Yes I want to try writing with a quill and get my hands covered in ink.
Once of several really fantastic museums in the
Paul D.
Aug 15, 2014
Report
After seeing this place in the evening mails list of top 40 places to visit in Birmingham, I thought it's got to be worth a trip across the city to check it out!
It's only a small place but it's jammed pack full of history about how Birmingham once supplied the world with fountain pen tips.
The staff that run the museum are really friendly and are more than happy to show you round and give you a bit of info on the machines on show and explain how they work. My mom even got to use the 5 machines that are in the museum ( he got my mom to do it because he said it was women's work
It's only a small place but it's jammed pack full of history about how Birmingham once supplied the world with fountain pen tips.
The staff that run the museum are really friendly and are more than happy to show you round and give you a bit of info on the machines on show and explain how they work. My mom even got to use the 5 machines that are in the museum ( he got my mom to do it because he said it was women's work
Vicky O.
Sep 05, 2013
Report
If you fancy learning a little more about the JQ and it's intrinsic relationship with designer makers, check this place out. It's not much to look at from outside, but once you enter the building you are surrounded by more history then you can shake a quill at.
As well as lots of exhibits to do with the history of pen making and it's connection to the area, you can have a go at making your own nib and writing with various different types of pen. There are many interactive exhibits to play with and the staff are really knowledgeable, so feel free to ask any burning questions.
As well as lots of exhibits to do with the history of pen making and it's connection to the area, you can have a go at making your own nib and writing with various different types of pen. There are many interactive exhibits to play with and the staff are really knowledgeable, so feel free to ask any burning questions.
Emma E.
Jun 10, 2012
Report
After working in the Jewellery Quarter for a few years, I'd often walked past The Pen Room and wandered what it was. My initial thought was that it was a shop selling pens (come on you know you'd think the same!) to which I wondered how many pens they must have to sell every week to keep open!
I since found out that it was so much more than a pen shop and in fact it was a museum that represents another one of Birmingham's fine manufacturing trades that have since been forgotten.
I decided to wander in on my lunch break and have a look around. With so many biros and plastic pens
I since found out that it was so much more than a pen shop and in fact it was a museum that represents another one of Birmingham's fine manufacturing trades that have since been forgotten.
I decided to wander in on my lunch break and have a look around. With so many biros and plastic pens
Rickie J.
Jun 07, 2012
Report
"...at the height of the trade, three quarters of everything written down in the world was with a Birmingham Pen..."
So boasts the website of yet another amazing heritage museum in Birmingham. You know how you don't go to the places on your doorstep because you can go there any time? Well any time finally came along. I actually went in because Peter from the museum kindly offered a work placement to a friend's daughter and I wanted to say thank you. Would you believe it's run entirely by volunteers?
The museum is full of amazing machinery and facts but they also run various
So boasts the website of yet another amazing heritage museum in Birmingham. You know how you don't go to the places on your doorstep because you can go there any time? Well any time finally came along. I actually went in because Peter from the museum kindly offered a work placement to a friend's daughter and I wanted to say thank you. Would you believe it's run entirely by volunteers?
The museum is full of amazing machinery and facts but they also run various
Simone R.
May 28, 2012
Report
That's is a place that I have to admit I was hesitating to visit! As a journalist I have a thing for pens in general. Yes, If I visit your shop, please give me a pen of your business and I am going to be a very happy person for the rest of the day. Bonkers but true!
Anyway, my friend was nagging me during the whole week to go with him to the Pen Room Museum and I was not sure until I find out Birmingham is considered almost like the capital of the pen making in the world! Wow, got me!
The adventures in such an important museum of Birmingham couldn't start better really and it has
Anyway, my friend was nagging me during the whole week to go with him to the Pen Room Museum and I was not sure until I find out Birmingham is considered almost like the capital of the pen making in the world! Wow, got me!
The adventures in such an important museum of Birmingham couldn't start better really and it has
Qype User Nomis
Oct 30, 2007
Report
This is something different to visit on a weekend. A pen is something that will take for granted and never think about because we are too busy using it in our every day life. Explore the history of pen. You will be amazed at how the modern pen has evolved and you can enjoy a calligraphy experience, and also you will able to make your own pen. This museum is suitable for people of all ages and will facinate everyone.
