The Harris celebrates 130th anniversary

L-R: Kara Gill (Preston City Council), Nicola Scattergood (The Harris Team), The Mayor of Preston Cllr Yakub Patel and Cllr Peter Kelly, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts

The Harris has celebrated its 130th anniversary.

The iconic cultural institution turned 130-years-old on 26 October.

Back in 1893, the doors were opened by Lord Derby and eager visitors were welcomed following a procession. Speeches, prayers and performances from the Bijou Naval orchestra accompanied by a chorus of 30 voices were highlights of the celebratory opening event.

From its early days as a gift to the people of Preston by Edmund Robert Harris to its evolution into a modern-day cultural institution, The Harris has continued to adapt to the changing needs of the community.

The Harris community celebrating 130 Years

Designed by James Hibbert in the neoclassical style, the Grade I listed building is currently looking to the future with the Harris Your Place project, a £16 million undertaking aimed at redefining its role in the 21st century.

Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet member for Arts and Culture at Preston City Council, said: “As we celebrate The Harris’s 130th anniversary, we are not just looking back on history, but forward to a future where culture, community, and innovation unite.

“The Harris Your Place project is a testament to our commitment to enriching lives and preserving our heritage. Together, we embark on a journey where the past inspires the future.”