Pen Museum

The Pen Museum stands in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, inside the Argent Centre, a Grade II* listed building that once housed a pen factory. It is the only museum in the United Kingdom devoted to the history of the pen making industry. The building itself reflects the city’s industrial past and its importance to the trade. The museum was opened in April 2001 and expanded in November 2016 with a new exhibition and shop area. It is run by the Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association, established in 1996 and now a charitable incorporated organisation. In the 19th century Birmingham became the centre of the world pen trade, with around 100 companies distributing steel pens across the globe. The museum explores the lives of employers and workers in the industry and traces how steel pen nibs were made. Displays include examples of the nibs produced and information on the companies involved. Beyond steel pens, the museum also covers other writing tools and the history of writing itself. Visitors can join tours led by volunteer guides or take part in hands-on activities. The museum offers demonstrations of early typewriters and Braille machines. Workshops for families and community groups take place regularly, along with talks on the history of the pen trade. Research into genealogy related to the industry is also supported. Visitors can try writing with different kinds of pens and even make a pen nib using original factory presses. The surroundings in the Jewellery Quarter add to the sense of a place shaped by craft and industry.