diff --git a/pyface/i_python_shell.py b/pyface/i_python_shell.py
index ed16df54d..58e4cfe75 100644
--- a/pyface/i_python_shell.py
+++ b/pyface/i_python_shell.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 """ The interface for an interactive Python shell. """
 
 # Enthought library imports.
-from traits.api import Event
+from traits.api import Event, String
 
 # Local imports.
 from pyface.key_pressed_event import KeyPressedEvent
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ class IPythonShell(IWidget):
     #: A key has been pressed.
     key_pressed = Event(KeyPressedEvent)
 
+    welcome_message = String
+
     ###########################################################################
     # 'IPythonShell' interface.
     ###########################################################################
diff --git a/pyface/ui/qt4/python_shell.py b/pyface/ui/qt4/python_shell.py
index 65cb0f04d..149af1dbc 100644
--- a/pyface/ui/qt4/python_shell.py
+++ b/pyface/ui/qt4/python_shell.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 from pygments.lexers import PythonLexer
 
 # Enthought library imports.
-from traits.api import Event, provides
+from traits.api import Event, provides, String
 from traits.util.clean_strings import python_name
 
 # Local imports.
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ class PythonShell(MPythonShell, Widget):
 
     command_executed = Event
 
+    welcome_message = String
+
     key_pressed = Event(KeyPressedEvent)
 
     #--------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -423,7 +425,7 @@ def _get_banner(self):
         """
         banner = 'Python %s on %s\nType "help", "copyright", "credits" or ' \
             '"license" for more information.'
-        return banner % (sys.version, sys.platform)
+        return banner % (sys.version, sys.platform) + self.welcome_message
 
     def _get_context(self, cursor=None):
         """ Gets the context for the specified cursor (or the current cursor
diff --git a/pyface/ui/wx/python_shell.py b/pyface/ui/wx/python_shell.py
index 423a8380e..9ee73db72 100644
--- a/pyface/ui/wx/python_shell.py
+++ b/pyface/ui/wx/python_shell.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 import wx
 
 # Enthought library imports.
-from traits.api import Event, provides
+from traits.api import Event, provides, String
 
 # Private Enthought library imports.
 from traits.util.clean_strings import python_name
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ class PythonShell(MPythonShell, Widget):
 
     key_pressed = Event(KeyPressedEvent)
 
+    welcome_message = String
+
     ###########################################################################
     # 'object' interface.
     ###########################################################################
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ def set_history(self, history, history_index):
     ###########################################################################
 
     def _create_control(self, parent):
-        shell = PyShell(parent, -1)
+        shell = PyShell(parent, -1, introText=self.welcome_message)
 
         # Listen for key press events.
         wx.EVT_CHAR(shell, self._wx_on_char)