Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum
Belarusian library, archive and small museum in North Finchley with the largest Belarusian book and art collection outside Belarus, open on monthly open days.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The institution grew out of the Belarusian Catholic Mission in London, founded in 1947. In 1948 the mission moved to Marian House on Holden Avenue, where Father Ceslaŭ Sipovič kept a small collection of Belarusian books. The collection was named Bibliotheca Alboruthena in 1958, when the private library of Father Leo Garoshka was added, making it the largest Belarusian library in western Europe. A small museum had already been opened in 1967 in a former Belarusian school building.
A fundraising campaign in 1969 paid for a building in North Finchley, and the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum was formally established there on 15 May 1971 as an independent institution. It became a registered charitable trust in 1979. After a period of inactivity in the 2010s, the trustees revived it and it was registered again as a charity in 2015.
Today the library holds more than 30,000 volumes, including some books printed before 1800, together with archives of church documents, manuscripts and material from the Belarusian Democratic Republic of 1918. A collection of paintings by Belarusian artists is displayed in the building, and one museum room shows items such as Slutsk sashes, coins, banknotes and stamps.
Highlights
- Largest collection of Belarusian books and art outside Belarus
- Archives with manuscripts and material from the Belarusian Democratic Republic of 1918
- Museum room with coins of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 18th-century Slutsk sashes and early 20th-century banknotes and stamps
- Paintings by Belarusian artists
- Monthly open days with no appointment needed
Permanent exhibition
- Museum room – A small museum space with coins of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 18th-century Slutsk sashes, banknotes and stamps from 1918 to 1922 and other Belarusian items.
- Founded
- 1971
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The library is in a residential building and is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors ring the bell on arrival.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Woodside Park station
The nearest Underground station is Woodside Park (Northern line), a short walk away. Several bus routes serve the area.
By car
Parking available
Parking is available on Holden Road and nearby streets.
Post for books, artefacts and correspondence goes to Marian House, Holden Avenue, London N12 8HY.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The building has a reading room, a small museum space and a garden.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | All holdings are freely available to bona fide scholars. A study visit programme for researchers offers use of the library and archives and accommodation in the guest room; applications must be made at least nine weeks before arrival. |
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