The Helena Thompson is both a museum and a community venue serving the town of Workington and the surrounding area.
This elegant Georgian house is a Grade II listed building was bequeathed to the town by the late Helena Thompson. Originally the building was in the care of the local authority but it is now managed by Workington Heritage Group under licence from Allerdale Borough Council.
The museum, which is accredited by the Arts Council, reflects the area’s history, industry, culture and social life through displays, interactive audio and visual information units and digital information. More than just a museum, the Helena Thompson is now home to groups with a wide variety of interests and activities and is a popular venue for wedding ceremonies, children’s days, exhibitions, parties, concerts and other events.
A new much larger toilet block has been added to the building as well as a disability-friendly new front car park and ramp access. The reception and servery area is much more wheelchair friendly. Many new artifacts have been added to the front entrance highlighting some of the area’s industrial past.
An interactive virtual tour of the museum is available to view on a tablet for anyone unable to use the stairs to the first floor.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
We are very proud to announce that in 2016 the Helena Thompson volunteers were awarded the ‘Queens Award for Volunteers’ and were included in the Queens Birthday Honours list.
This award is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteers. Presentation of the Award by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria was made to Pat Martin, one of our long-serving volunteers, and Stephen Jones, another valued volunteer together with Sue Hayman, former local Member of Parliament.
What Our Visitors Say...
Recent News
We are asking that Tesco customers support us by placing blue tokens in the relevant bin at our local store, in doing so it helps us acquire resources for school workshops which we hold on a regular basis within the Helena Thompson Museum. The museum holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Award, which is a recognised quality education provider Award.
Please support your local museum each time you make a visit to Tesco and if you are not offered their blue tokens then ask for some.
On behalf of the museum thank you for your support.
This content isn't available at the moment ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
There are tickets still available for this afternoon tea on Saturday 7th DecemberChristmas sweet and savoury tea. Click on the poster for more details ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Minnie and mickey character breakfast tickets on sale now ! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Tickets on sale now! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
More than half the tickets already sold !Tickets on sale now! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Not long now, get booking!!Tickets on sale now. These will be limited ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This content isn't available at the moment ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sunday 15th December
Afternoon tea and Sethera brass band is now fully booked
Reminder to those who have booked, this function starts at 1pm not 2pm as advertised ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Dinner by candlelight on Friday 6th December is now fully booked. I have 2 bookings that have not confirmed their menu, if you could do this ASAP please ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook