The Museums Department is responsible for the care and display of all the historic museum items owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. 

Items from the collection also feature in permanent and temporary exhibitions in the Shakespeare Centre and Visitors' Centre.

Online Catalogue

The Museums Department 's collection catalogue is now available to search online. To access our collection database please click on the link above. 

Collecting Policy

We principally collect items that relate to Shakespeare, his life and times. This area of collection encompasses a wide range of material:

• souvenirs and other 'Shakespeariana'
• art which celebrates Shakespeare and his work
• domestic furniture and furnishings contemporary with Shakespeare and his family

Local History is the other main area of collecting:

• local archaeology
• items that represent the social and economic life of Stratford-upon-Avon

We also have a special collection of pewter, dating from Roman times until the present day.

Offers to the Trust of items of Shakespeare-related material or items of historical interest, in particular from the Stratford-upon-Avon area of Warwickshire, are always gratefully received. If an item duplicates material already in the collection, is in a poor condition, or is not the type of material we collect, then we may not be able to accept the offer, but might be able to suggest an alternative institution.

Conservation

The Trust has a Museums Conservation Department based at Mary Arden's House which provides advice and undertakes specialist treatments when necessary.

Enquiries

We welcome enquiries from the public on any aspect of our collection. We are happy to provide an identification service to the public, but request that an appointment be made in advance. We cannot provide valuations.

Photographic Services

Photographs of items in the museum collection can be supplied.  A printable photographic price list can be viewed on our Photographic Services page, along with a list of reproduction charges (for publication purposes), terms and conditions and order forms.