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.
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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.
Museum open today 10-3.30
Cafe open 10-2
Wednesday museum open 10-3.30 and cafe 10-2
Closed after that for London college of music exams, then open for Sundays talk on the curwens and tour inside and out of Workington Hall. Tickets are still available ... See MoreSee Less
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All at the Helena Thompson Museum are feeling very sad and upset after hearing the awful news about one of our dear friends and volunteer Margaret passing away.
Margaret was always a pleasure to be around. She had a great sense of humour and we will miss her dreadfully. God bless Margaret until we all meet up again 🙏 ... See MoreSee Less
31 CommentsComment on Facebook
So sorry to hear this. Thinking of you all xx
So sorry for your loss. Sending love and condolences x
Margaret was such a genuinely lovely lady. God bless
Margaret was a lovely lady with a wonderful smile ,a happy disposition and a zest for life .R.I.P
A lovely lady, always had a smile and a crack. Much missed by the Museum family xx
It was a pleasure to work alongside Margaret at the Museum, all the fun and laughter we volunteers shared will remain in my memory. A truly lovely lady. RIP Margaret with your wonderful son, Gary x
So sorry to hear this xx
So sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I'm sure she was a very dear friend ❤️
Margaret was a lovely member of the Museum ‘family’ of volunteers and she will be sadly missed. xx
Very sad new, Margaret was a lovely friend and colleague who will be very sadly missed. RIP Margaret😥
Margaret was lovely. She will be much missed
God bless x
So sorry to hear the news, thoughts are with you all
Margaret was a wonderful lady with a heart of gold. She will be sadly missed.. Sending love to Patricia at this sad time x
Aww so sorry to hear the sad news, Margaret will be very much missed. R.I.P Margaret. Sending Condolences xx
Aww, such sad news, a lovely lady, she will be missed. RIP x
RIP x
Margaret was very knowledgeable , RIP
So sorry for your loss thinking of you all at this sad difficult time
Sending condolences to the family and HTM team
So sorry to hear this sad news. Sending love to you all x
Sending condolences Margaret was a lovely woman always had a crack when we seen each other RIP Margaret x
Thinking about you all at this very sad time 😢 xx
Awwwww sorry for your loss xxx
Awww no Margret was a lovely woman😢 thinking of you all xxx
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Another lovely visit today from Victoria school ... See MoreSee Less
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A lovely day with an amazing group of children. 😊
We thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you all!
God bless
Sunday 11th May
VE Day garden party with Sethera brass band ... See MoreSee Less
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Limited availability ... See MoreSee Less
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Can we book 4 tickets please? Helena Thompson Museum
Tickets available for Afternoon tea ... See MoreSee Less
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Wow! What a fantastic selection of stalls we have today at the Helena Thompson Museum Spring Fair.
OPEN 10-4 ... See MoreSee Less
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This Sunday 10am until 4pm.
Over 20 stalls, not to be missed!!!
Stall holders, please share the poster so as many people as possible know about the fair!!! ... See MoreSee Less
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Spirit & Flame Holistics will be there. Launching 11 new scented aromatherapy candles and wax melts. Shared!
I'll be taking my knitwear, including my new designs and a selection of reduced knits too.
Annie Moon Makes will be there! Shared!
Lovely day with Victoria Junior school looking at how buildings have changed over the years ... See MoreSee Less
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We had a fantastic day with the children from Victoria Junior school.
Another excellent day for a visiting school 👍