Lace Guild Museum
The museum of the Lace Guild at The Hollies in Stourbridge, with changing lace exhibitions and a collection of over 18,000 objects.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Lace Guild was founded in 1976 after a revival of interest in lace-making, and since 1985 it has had its permanent home at The Hollies in Audnam, Stourbridge. The house contains the Guild’s offices, a purpose-designed exhibition room, a library, the museum collection and an archive.
The museum became a Registered Museum in 2001 and gained Accredited status from Arts Council England in 2009; the accreditation has recently been renewed. The collection has more than 18,600 objects, including lace of all kinds, equipment and related material from the early 1600s to today, from Britain and abroad. An honorary curator and volunteers look after it.
Most of the collection is kept in drawers, boxes and cupboards as a reserve collection that can be seen by appointment. The exhibition room shows lace from the collection and from other museums and lace groups, and exhibitions change several times a year.
Highlights
- Collection of more than 18,600 lace objects from the 1600s to today
- Changing exhibitions in a purpose-designed room
- Reserve collection viewable by appointment
- Lace identification sessions with volunteers
- Shop with bobbins, books and lace equipment
Permanent exhibition
- Lace collection – More than 18,600 objects from the early 1600s to today; most are kept in a reserve collection that can be viewed by appointment.
- Operated by
- The Lace Guild
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; donations are welcome. Non-members are welcome.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The exhibition room, library and a toilet are on the ground floor, reached by a level path to the entrance at the back of the building. The first floor, with the reference library, archive and reserve collection, is not open to the public without arrangement. Visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing get an information sheet, and signed support can be arranged for groups. Visitors with sight impairments can ask for large-print material, magnifiers and a guided tour of the building with items to handle. Visitors with disabilities should contact the museum in advance.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
VW Garage bus stop
Buses 16 and 17 run about every 15 minutes at peak times; ask for the “VW Garage” stop (about 10 minutes from Stourbridge). By train go to Stourbridge Junction, then take a bus.
By car
Parking available
Limited parking in the Lace Guild car park, entered through the gates. Overflow parking is on Junction Road along the side of the building; do not park on the hardstanding outside.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells books, bobbins, lace equipment and second-hand books.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Items from the reserve collection can be seen by appointment. Ask for lace identification when booking to be matched with a volunteer who can identify your lace. |
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