The Cockermouth museum group operates within the Kirkgate Centre, the former All Saints' School, saved from demolition by the efforts of the Civic Trust. Original plans for the Kirkgate Centre included a museum, hence the setting up of the museum group in 1994 to work towards that goal.

Due to financial constraints it has not been possible to implement plans for a museum yet, but that has not curtailed the enthusiasm of the group to pursue its objectives to research, record and preserve the history of Cockermouth and its surrounding area.

To that end we stage an annual local history exhibition at the Kirkgate Centre, and carry out research throughout the year. We regularly answer family or local history queries, and have responded to requests for help on Cockermouth's history from people in many parts of the country.

We now have a considerable archive of old photographs and other artefacts and welcome loans or donations of ephemera relating to Cockermouth's rich past. See some of our photos here.

If you have old photographs, we can copy these and return them to you promptly.

New members (of any age) are always welcome - we meet most Monday eveningsbetween 8 - 9.30 p.m. at the Kirkgate Centre. There are no membership charges.
The Group has its own website at :www.cockermouthmuseumgroup.org.uk

We can be contacted via the Kirkgate Centre, or you can email us at: museumgroup@hotmail.com, or phone Gloria Edwards (Secretary) 01900 823966.

Cockermouth Museum Group have produced: 'Moota, Camp 103 - The Story of a Cumbrian Prisoner of War Camp', 'The War Years - Life in Cockermouth and at Moota POW Camp', 'Cockermouth Amateur Theatre: A Pictorial History', 'The Harris Thread', 'Monumental MPs of Cockermouth', 'The History of Christ Church'
Various books on aspects of Cockermouth's history have been produced by members of the group. See their website for full details.