Museum to re-open in listed Saltaire mill this August

The Peace Museum, the only museum of its kind in the UK, has been based in an upper floor space on Piece Hall Yard in the city centre since it opened in 1994.

But from August 10 it will be based in Salts Mill in Saltaire – a much larger space that will allow the museum to better show off its large collection.

The museum hosts numerous exhibits, including a collection of banners from peace marches from across the world, and regularly hosts school visits.

The new home of the Peace Museum in Salts Mill (Image: Newsquest)

But its previous home had limited space to display the museum’s collection along its many temporary exhibitions.

And its poor accessibility – on an upper floor above office space, meant the museum was not fully accessible.

The museum team are currently putting the finishing touches on the new, much larger premises on the third floor of the historic mill – which is based in the centre of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The renovated space will include a newly developed permanent exhibition which explores the often-untold stories of peace, peacemakers, social reform and peace movements.

Visitors will be able to see objects from the Museum’s unique collection, including banners that were originally used at Greenham Common Peace Camp and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament’s original drawings of the now well recognized peace symbol.

The new home for the Bradford Peace Museum in salts mill takes shape with L-R and as Aine McKenny and Charlotte Houlahan look on. (Image: Newsquest)

It will also share personal stories of people’s motivations to campaign for peace and the impacts of conflict.

The new museum will also have temporary exhibitions, an education space for school visits, research facilities and a shop.

The museum says its development has been made possible through the support of various funders, grants, and donations from supporters.

A spokesperson said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund's support, made possible by National Lottery players, has enabled the creation of a new engaging and accessible exhibition and educational programmes.

“Generous capital funding from Bradford 2025 and Bradford City Council has allowed us to turn an unused piece of the district’s history back into life.

“We would also like to thank Key Fund, Art Fund, Association of Independent Museums, Pilgrim Trust, Museum Development North, and Arts Council England, who have all helped to make our move and reopening possible.

“The Peace Museum’s reopening is just the beginning of what will be an exciting and ambitious next chapter.”