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Birmingham Attraction - The Pen Room - Pen Museum and Learning Centre

Birmingham was the centre of the world pen trade for more than a century, employing thousands of people, pioneering craftsmanship, manufacturing processes and employment opportunities especially for women.

The Pen Room, Frederick Street, Hockley, Birmingham, West Midlands, England is close to the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line Moorings in the NIA area, Cambrian Wharf on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the Gas Street Basin end of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in Birmingham. MAP. Close by is the The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter on Vyse Street.

We visited the Pen Museum in March 2010. At this time the museum had free admission - donations gratefully accepted. We can recommend a visit and suggest that you allow at least 1 hour to view the exhibits.

The Pen Museum is situated in a former pen factory, now a Grade II Listed Building, demonstrating through a wide range of displays demonstrations and activities the fact that Birmingham was the centre of the world pen trade employing thousands of people. During the 19th Century over 100 companies grew up in the area. Towards the end of the century the number of manufacturers had been reduced to 12 main companies.

The availability of cheap pens accelerated the development of education and literacy throughout the world. The Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association is working through talks and presentations, school visits and family activities to ensure that this important part of Birmingham's history may continue to be appreciated worldwide. The Pen Room recalls the history of some of the Birmingham companies involved in the trade.

With exhibits and displays that provided us with an insight into the variety of pens and writing equipment manufactured during the latter half of the 19th century by companies, situated in and around the Jewellery Quarter as well as a demonstration of pen nib stamping.

The Pen Museum at The Pen Room, Hockley, Birmingham B1 3HS is open Monday to Saturday 11.00 to 16.00 and Sundays 13.00 to 16.00

Website - Tel: 0121 236 9834 - Charity No.1064945