The Pen Room

Museum and Learning Centre of Writing and Pen Trade Memorabilia

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The Pen Room promotes how the modern pen has evolved through displays, demonstrations and activities. The museum aims not only to show how the pen trade was so important to Birmingham but also to educate on wider issues associated with writing and the pen trade. 

 


Here you can:

  • Learn about the Pen Companies of Birmingham and the different manufacturing processes.
  •   Explore the history of the trade, from quills to steel nibs and fountain pens.                               
  • Try your hand at writing with feather quills, reed pens and steel pens.
  • Make your nib using original factory hand presses and experience the working conditions that women had to endure.


  • See the fascinating displays of nibs and writing equipment.
  •  Use our early typewriters and Braille writing machines.









The Pen Room supports teaching and learning, both in and out of schools, through “hands on experience” and practical cross curricular activities.

Please contact us or download our leaflet for more information.

Sessions last about an hour and can cater for a maximum of twenty five students plus support staff.

All entries are free but donations are welcomed in support of the Pen Room activities.