Craigavon Museum Services is based at Waterside House, Oxford Island, Craigavon. The museum contains an exhibition area, a local history library, a fully equipped workshop, office accommodation and storage facility housing the Museum's collection. The collection records the social history of the people from what is now the Craigavon area and is based on specimens collected by the former Portadown Museum, to more recent acquisitions which chart the growth and development of Craigavon as a 'New City'.

The Philip B Wilson Local History Library

The Philip B Wilson local history library located within the Museum Services building at Waterside House was officially opened in 1998 and named in honour of a past Curator and historian in recognition of his contribution to local history in the Borough of Craigavon.

Today the library holds over 2,500 local history books on a range of topics, including transportation, architecture, church history and archaeology to mention but a few. However the main focus of the library is on the history of the Craigavon area.

Two unique book collections focus on the Christian Heritage of the area.

Quaker Book Collection
This collection is recognised as one of the most extensive libraries of Quaker books in Ireland and records the history of the Quakers from the middle of the seventeenth century. It reflects the long association of Quakers with the area, as the first meeting in Ireland was held in Lurgan back in 1654.

Methodist Book Collection
More recently, a unique collection of Methodist books, dating from the middle of the eighteenth century has been acquired, covering the rise and development of the Methodist Church in Britain and Ireland with a focus on local congregational histories. Methodism was ‘born in song’ and with many rare editions of poems, hymns and music included alongside the works, writings and sermons of John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) the collection helps provide a useful insight into the social history and thinking of the period.

Old photographs and maps of the local area compliment the literature found on the shelves.

The Museum Service also manages the Barn Museum at Tannaghmore Gardens, Lurgan and Moneypenny’s Lockhouse on the Newry Canal 3 miles south of Portadown.

The Barn Museum

For details of opening times and guided tours, please contact the museum on 028 38 341 635.

Moneypenny's Lock

The stables and bothy at Moneypenny's Lock on the Newry Canal have been sympathetically restored. They now contain a number of small exhibitions, which illustrate the frugal life of the lightermen including life on the canal, from the barges which used it, to the flora and fauna that live in the surrounding area.

For details of opening times and guided tours, please contact the museum on 028 38 341 635.

Other Services

These have been recently supplemented by a wide ranging education and events programme. The 'Box of Curiosities' brings the Museum right into the classroom. The concept itself is based on an 18 th century idea where young gentlemen on their travels would bring with them a wooden box on wheels containing family heirlooms and interesting objects for the entertainment of the their host families. Our box has been specifically designed and contains objects from the Museum's collection which have proved to be highly popular with schools and community groups alike.

The Philip B Wilson Library within the Museum Services building, houses an extensive library of almost 2,500 volumes, many rare and of great importance. Subjects include local history, church history, agriculture, transportation, and the development of Craigavon to name just a few. The library also includes a 700 volume collection of the Ulster Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. This Collection, dating from the mid 1600's to the mid 1900's, is of great value to anyone wishing to research the history of the Quakers both locally and further afield.