Brent Museum and Archives

Brent Museum and Archives We collect material relating to the history of Brent and its people. Come and explore our galleries.

For more info visit https://www.brent.gov.uk/libraries-arts-and-heritage/brent-museum-and-archives Formerly Grange Museum of Community History, Brent Museum is now based in The Library at Willesden Green. The museum collection consists of thousands of objects relating to the Brent in the past and in the present. Brent Archives hold collections related to the London Borough of Brent and its residen

ts and can help with many local history enquiries. The Archive Searchroom is open at the following times:

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 9am - 5pm
Thursdays: 1pm-8pm
Saturdays: 10am-5pm (closed for lunch from 1-2pm)

We hold the records of Brent Council and its predecessors, historical maps and street directories, electoral registers, school records, and an extensive collection of old photographs and postcards. Our local history collections include a large reference collection, and local newspapers dating back to 1870. We also collect the records of local groups and organisations; if you have records you would be interested in donating, please contact us. For our house rules regarding posts and comments please visit - https://www.brent.gov.uk/houserules

OPEN NOW! Resistance HQ at The Library at Willesden Green.Explore the history of the Willesden Trades Hall and London Ap...
18/06/2026

OPEN NOW! Resistance HQ at The Library at Willesden Green.

Explore the history of the Willesden Trades Hall and London Apollo club in a new exhibition featuring archive material, and learn about ongoing work to repair and renovate the building.

Until 30 June 2026
Ground Floor, The Library at Willesden Green
NW10 2SF
Free to attend

A rare glimpse of Amy Johnson at Stag Lane Aerodrome in Kingsbury - the very place where she learnt to fly.Before her...
11/06/2026


A rare glimpse of Amy Johnson at Stag Lane Aerodrome in Kingsbury - the very place where she learnt to fly.
Before her record-breaking solo flight from London to Australia in 1930, Amy was training right here in Kingsbury at what was then one of the UK’s key civilian flying schools.

Celebrating International Reggae Day At The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition!Come to Harlesden Library for a special...
09/06/2026

Celebrating International Reggae Day At The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition!

Come to Harlesden Library for a special viewing of the exhibition and a talk by curator and historical musicologist Kwaku titled: 'Where Would Reggae Be On The Global Stage, If Not For Migration?' Kwaku will show how migration – from the Caribbean to the UK and beyond – powered the worldwide spread and evolution of reggae music, with Brent and Harlesden at the heart of that story, as well as other parts of London and key regional centres such as Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Wolverhampton. Free. For more information: BBM.eventbrite.com

Wednesday 1 July 6-8pm
Harlesden Library, Craven Park, NW10 8SE
Free to attend

🚨Service notice🚨Due to unforeseen circumstances the Archive Search Room will be closed on Saturday 13th June. Please dir...
08/06/2026

🚨Service notice🚨

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Archive Search Room will be closed on Saturday 13th June. Please direct your enquiry to [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

3rd June 1966 - The countdown to the World Cup was on!As Wembley prepared to host the tournament, accommodation was in h...
03/06/2026

3rd June 1966 - The countdown to the World Cup was on!
As Wembley prepared to host the tournament, accommodation was in high demand. Local newspapers reported residents opening their homes to visitors travelling to the stadium.

Join us at the British Black Music Month Launch At Harlesden Library!Join us for the opening of the Brent Reggae Album C...
21/05/2026

Join us at the British Black Music Month Launch At Harlesden Library!

Join us for the opening of the Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition, celebrating Brent’s legendary contribution to reggae, accompanied by a special talk by exhibition curator and historical musicologist Kwaku titled: 'Where Would Reggae Be If There Was No Harlesden Or Brent?' In his illustrated presentation, Kwaku will explore how Harlesden in particular, and the wider borough of Brent, became an essential hub that shaped the sound, business and global reach of reggae from the 1960s onward, from sound systems and record shops to labels, studios and artists who put reggae on the world stage. Free. For more information: BBM.eventbrite.com

Where: Harlesden Library, Craven Park Road, NW10 8SE
When: Monday 1 June, 4-6pm

Free to attend

Come and join us for a fun, free family craft event at Kilburn Library (Salusbury Road) on Tuesday 26 May - we will be m...
20/05/2026

Come and join us for a fun, free family craft event at Kilburn Library (Salusbury Road) on Tuesday 26 May - we will be making craft that reflects the things we really care about! For ages 5+, drop in, 2.30-4.30pm.

In 1920, Frank Smith started a small business in his garage behind the Crown pub in Cricklewood. This simple start was p...
20/05/2026

In 1920, Frank Smith started a small business in his garage behind the Crown pub in Cricklewood. This simple start was pivotal in snack history as Smith's Crisps introduced the concept of adding a pinch of salt as the first crisp flavour. His innovation revolutionized the snack industry and paved the way for the wide array of flavours we enjoy today.

Harlesden’s High Street was once home to one of the area’s largest entertainment venues.The Willesden Hippodrome opened ...
06/05/2026

Harlesden’s High Street was once home to one of the area’s largest entertainment venues.
The Willesden Hippodrome opened in 1907 as a music hall, capable of seating around 3,000 people. It quickly became a major centre for popular entertainment in the area, hosting live performances before later being used for orchestral concerts and, eventually, as a cinema. The stage was destroyed by bombs in 1940 and was demolished in March 1957.

The Empower to Achieve exhibition by the Jason Roberts Foundation, in partnership with Brent Libraries, has been delayed...
05/05/2026

The Empower to Achieve exhibition by the Jason Roberts Foundation, in partnership with Brent Libraries, has been delayed. we apologise for the inconvenience.

Please check this page for updates.

Jason Roberts Foundation presents Empower to Achieve, the latest exhibition celebrating the stories and achievements of Brent women in sport. The Library at Willesden Green. Free to attend.

Address

The Library At Willesden Green, 95 High Road, Willesden
London
NW102SF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+442089373600

Website

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