One year on from the reopening of The Harris, we're looking back on what this incredible transformation has meant to the people of Preston.
First opened in 1893, the Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library has been a cultural cornerstone of the city for more than 125 years. With great support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the building has been reimagined for a new generation, developing into an accessible, community-led destination that brings together culture, learning and civic life under one roof.
As part of our Project Voices series, we're sharing stories from people who have experienced The Harris' transformation first-hand, showcasing the project's impact beyond the building itself.
Our first film features Sophie Teale, one of The Harris' Team Leaders, who reflects on the excitement and emotion surrounding the reopening. From seeing visitors return in their thousands to watching people spend hours rediscovering familiar spaces, Sophie offers a unique and honest perspective on how deeply the building is woven into the life of the city.
As she puts it:
"It was just so good to see how much people in Preston had missed it."
Her story is a reminder that The Harris is more than a museum, gallery and library. It's a place of memories, connections and shared experiences, and its reopening has brought a much-loved part of Preston's identity back to life.
Project Voices: where people tell the story of the place.
The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library
Reconnecting people and place: The Harris' transformation