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

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.

Coming soon! Jason Roberts Foundation presents Empower to Achieve, the latest exhibition celebrating the stories and ac...
05/05/2026

Coming soon! Jason Roberts Foundation presents Empower to Achieve, the latest exhibition celebrating the stories and achievements of Brent women in sport. Opening 11 May 2026 at The Library at Willesden Green. Free to attend.

Coming soon! Jason Roberts Foundation presents Empower to Achieve, the latest exhibition celebrating the stories and ach...
05/05/2026

Coming soon! Jason Roberts Foundation presents Empower to Achieve, the latest exhibition celebrating the stories and achievements of Brent women in sport. Opening 11 May 2026 at The Library at Willesden Green. Free to attend.

Neasden was once a centre of railway engineering and skilled work.This photograph shows railway workers and electric loc...
23/04/2026

Neasden was once a centre of railway engineering and skilled work.
This photograph shows railway workers and electric locomotives at the Neasden Metropolitan Railway depot, dating from between 1905 and 1922. The image captures staff posing beside early electric engines, part of the Metropolitan Railway’s pioneering move away from steam traction in the early twentieth century.
Neasden depot played a key role in the operation and maintenance of electric trains on the Metropolitan line, reflecting the area’s importance to London’s expanding transport network and the everyday working lives of the people who kept it running.

Due to the London Underground strikes, the Archive Search Room is closed 21-24 April and a remote enquiry service will b...
20/04/2026

Due to the London Underground strikes, the Archive Search Room is closed 21-24 April and a remote enquiry service will be operating.

Please send your enquiries to [email protected]

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

🚎 Did you know trolleybuses operated across parts of Brent until the early 1960s?📸 This photograph shows trolleybuses in...
09/04/2026

🚎 Did you know trolleybuses operated across parts of Brent until the early 1960s?

📸 This photograph shows trolleybuses in Alperton between 1958 and 1962, captured using a 1930s Exacta camera. Electric trolleybuses were once a familiar sight on London streets before being withdrawn in 1962.

Images like this capture everyday journeys and local streets at a moment of change in public transport history.

Join Rhoda Ibrahim and Brent Museum and Archives for Somali traditional craft - Family craft workshopTuesday 7 April at ...
20/03/2026

Join Rhoda Ibrahim and Brent Museum and Archives for Somali traditional craft - Family craft workshop
Tuesday 7 April at Kingsbury Library and Friday 10 April at Wembley Library
Make your own section of an Alool, a traditional nomadic Somali fireguard, which is a craft used in nomadic homes.
Age 3+
2.30-4.30pm
Free
Drop in

This event links into the Somali community display at Kingsbury Library

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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