Blaenavon Community Museum
Volunteer-run community museum in Blaenavon's Workmen's Hall on local social history and the south Wales coalfield, with Alexander Cordell's personal effects.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Blaenavon Community Museum is run by the Blaenafon Heritage Group, a registered charity, and is an accredited museum. It is staffed entirely by volunteers and aims to be a small, sustainable museum that makes the cultural heritage of Blaenavon accessible and supports discussion about the significance of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site and its community.
The museum is based in the Workmen's Hall on High Street. Its exhibitions explain the society of Blaenavon in the 19th and 20th centuries and cover recreation, sport and leisure, churches and chapels, choirs and music, trade unionism, friendly societies, shops and businesses, local schools and local people who served in wartime. First World War and Second World War displays include medals, letters, a pay book, a will and a roll of honour.
The museum also shows the personal effects of the novelist Alexander Cordell (1914 to 1997), author of the bestseller Rape of the Fair Country, which is why it is also known as the Blaenavon Community and Cordell Museum. A large family and local history archive is held, and research can be arranged in return for a donation. Volunteers of all ages help with front-of-house work, cataloguing and research, and the museum welcomes school and large group visits.
Highlights
- Personal effects of the novelist Alexander Cordell
- Exhibitions on chapels, choirs, trade unionism, shops and schools of Blaenavon
- First and Second World War displays with medals and letters
- Family and local history archive open for research
- Run entirely by volunteers inside the Workmen's Hall
Permanent exhibitions
- Blaenavon community history – Exhibitions on recreation and sport, chapels, choirs and music, trade unionism, friendly societies, shops, schools and local people in the world wars.
- Alexander Cordell collection – Personal effects of the novelist Alexander Cordell, author of Rape of the Fair Country.
- Operated by
- Blaenafon Heritage Group
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Under 16s enter free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Groups | –Large groups may get a discounted entry fee. |
Admission is 2.50 pounds for visitors over 16. Special events and exhibitions may cost extra. Research in the archive can be arranged in exchange for a donation.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is inside the Workmen's Hall on High Street in the centre of Blaenavon.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum welcomes large groups and school trips. Volunteers hold free weekly family history sessions with the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library, on Fridays from 10:00 to 13:00. |
