Wigan Museum

Neon artwork of Angela the school cook, submitted by 7 year old Hallie. Hallie's design was chosen to be made into an installation for Light Night 2025.

Picture of Hallie stood next to her neon installation taken at the opening of Wigan's Voice.

Today's #exhibition highlight is wonderful! For Light Night 2025, local children sent in designs of their heroes. Alongside submissions of footballers & musicians, 7 yr old Hallie sent in artwork of Angela, her school cook. We love that regular people are immortalised as the heroes they are! ❤️

The rise of the cotton industry in Wigan 1800 to 1880 by Ken Scally An interactive talk focussing on the history of coal and canals.

Come and explore the interaction between coal, canals, & steam power on textile manufacture. This talk combines historical narrative, images, songs, & poems, many in the old dialect.

🗓️ Sat 18 April
🕙 12-1pm
💷 £3.50 inc drink

Book via link or ring 01942 828128.

www.eventbrite.com/e/the-rise-o...

Poster for All in a Mouse's House, a magical puppetry theatre performance. It features a mouse puppet with a star and moon sky background.

Join Goofus Theatre for a FREE magical non-verbal theatre performance for everyone to enjoy! 🤩

📅Saturday 21st March
⏰11am-11:30am and 1pm-1:30pm

Recommended for mouses aged 2-8 years 🐭

Book through the Eventbrite link below or ring 01942 828128.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/wigan-muse...

Photograph of a small part of the Data Mining projection. It shows an aerial view of Wigan Museum's collection store.

Photograph of the area dedicated to Data Mining. It is a dark open space with a projector screen showing the film. There is a seat and also mining objects on display.

The first installation in Wigan’s Voice is the atmospheric Data Mining by Henrich & Palmer.

Immerse yourself in projection and sound to explore the industrial and geological heritage of Wigan Borough. After your visit, please tell us what you think!

#wigan #museum #projection #installation

'Steet Scene' by Doreen Turton. It is a black pen and ink style work featuring houses, railings, and pavement. It was completed in 1976.

'Jackson & Smith's Shop' by Doreen Turton is a black pen and ink style work featuring a shop front with notices in the window. It was completed in 1976.

Doreen Turton was a Wigan-born painter and model maker. She also occasionally sat for Theodore Major and was the model for his 1948 painting ‘A Lancashire Lass'. These two charming works by her are now on display in the newly opened 'Wigan's Voice' exhibition.

Our new exhibition 'Wigan’s Voice' is now open!
With brand new commissioned works by three local artists displayed alongside key objects from our collection, art, film, and so much more - there really is something for everyone 😍

Tues-Fri 10-4pm
Sat 10-2pm

Hacker T.Dog and his chums are back on display in the @wiganmuseum.bsky.social it opens on Saturday the 21st of February

Introduction poster with a red background and the text Abigail Kerner, commissioned artist in black lettering.

A photo of one of Abi's works made from old clock parts to form a human shape. Abi is studying at Central Saint Martins in London and her work involves surreal creations made out of everyday things.

More photos of Abi's pieces made from clock parts.

Her work explores the passage of time in Wigan and it's historical culture of craft, music, and community.

With just a few days before we reopen we would like to share our third commissioned artist, Abi Kerner. These adorable pieces will be on display from Saturday so make sure you make time to visit 😍

A valentine card with pink and flowers cut from card.

Valentines card with silver coloured fret work around the edges and a colourful scene in the centre featuring a boy and girl.

A 1930s valentine card with a boy and girl with the words To my sweetheart, you are so sweet, my heart is a-flutter. I love you dear is all my lips can utter.

As it's Valentines Day so we thought we would share some of our wonderful cards from years gone by ❤️

We are all set up for Chinese New Year in Wigan Library. We are here until 1:30pm with traditional crafts, costume, tea ceremony, & more! There is also:

11am: martial arts in Grand Arcade
12pm: dragon dance on Market Place
1pm: lion dance in Wigan Library

And it's FREE! 😍

#ChineseNewYear #Wigan

Photograph of a computer screen logged onto the Ancestry website.

Did you know you can access Ancestry and Find My Past for free in our local studies library. Here you can also view the 1921 census which is really useful for tracing your ancestors, and there is always a member of staff happy to help!

We are open:
Tues-Fri 10-4pm
Sat 10-2pm

Poster with red background with the text How would you sum Wigan up to someone who's never been? written in black lettering.

We're asking for your voice one last time! How would you describe Wigan to someone who has never been? Athletic? Soulful? Industrial? Proud? Please let us know in the comments.

We can't wait to welcome you back on Saturday 21st February with our new exhibition Wigan’s Voice 😍

Passionate about museums, culture, and heritage? This Customer Service Assistant role could be for you!

17.65 hours per week
£12,204 - £12,796 per annum
Deadline: 1/3/26
Interview: 13/3/26

All details and how to apply can be found below 👇

#Wigan #Jobs #MuseumJobs

www.greater.jobs/en-gb/job/75...

Poster with a red background and the text The Chubby Northerner, commissioned artist in black lettering.

Some background on Tom Stocks, The Chubby Northerner. His work blends humour, heart, and northern identity. His writing captures everyday life, exploring identity and resilience through a warm conversational voice.

Beyond the stage, Tom's community focused projects bring accessible, joyful poetry directly into public spaces.

His debut play Netflix and Chill earned a standing ovation award nomination. His artistic practice centres on words in public spaces bringing poetry into the everyday landscape.

We are excited to announce that one of the newly commissioned artworks for Wigan’s Voice is by The Chubby Northerner! We were delighted to find one of his pavement poems near our entrance a few months ago and we know you will love his installation 😍

#Wigan #artist

Photograph of the dedicated George Orwell space in our local studies. It shows an interpretation map of places of interest relating to Orwell, and a display plinth that contains an original first edition of The Road to Wigan Pier, and a small bust of George Orwell.

Some of the many books by George Orwell that are available to access for free in the library.

Did you know that 90 years ago George Orwell did some of his research & writing for A Road to Wigan Pier in our local studies?

We are also the home of a large collection of Orwell related books owned by The Orwell Society, that you can access for free by asking a member of staff.

#Wigan #Orwell

Image with a red colour background with the text what does Wigan mean to you? in black font.

We have had some great responses to our question 'what does it mean to live in Wigan' across our socials. So here's question two - what does Wigan mean to you?

It could many things, or just one. Maybe it's rugby, friends, pies, or northern soul. Let us know, we would love to hear from you 😍

#Wigan

Poster for Chinese New Year with a red background with cartoon style horses as it is the year of the horse.

Join us for Chinese New Year on Saturday 14th February!

Enjoy #FREE crafts, tea ceremony, costume, dance, calligraphy & more at Wigan Library, alongside the following shows:

11am Martial Arts display - Grand Arcade
12pm Dragon Dance - Market Place
1pm Lion Dance - Wigan Library

#ChineseNewYear

Poster with red background with the text Alex Shaw commissioned artist.

Alex is an interdisciplinary artist based in Wigan. They practice explores living, breathing ecosystems, especially peatlands, wetlands, and local watercourses.

Alex is currently completing an MA in Art and Science at Liverpool John Moores University. Their work joins field research, moving image, sound, photography, and sculptural materials including felted wool and coir.

Alongside key objects from our collection, we commissioned new artworks to respond to Wigan's heritage, culture, and changing landscape.

In the run up to our opening on Saturday the 21st of February, we'll be posting all about the commissioned artists. First up - Alex Shaw ✨🌱

#Wigan #artist

A poster with an orange colour background with the words what does it mean to live in Wigan?

Ahead of the opening of our new exhibition 'Wigan's Voice', we want to hear your voice. We have put together a few questions, and the first is - what does it mean to live in Wigan? Let us know in the comments 📣

Poster advertising the new exhibition. It has a red background with the text Wigan’s Voice 21 February to 25 July.

Our new exhibition 'Wigan’s Voice' opens on Saturday 21st February! Showcasing our past, present, & future it features objects, artwork, & stories alongside newly commissioned artwork looking at Wigan’s heritage, culture, & changing landscape. We can't wait to welcome you back!

Marble bust of Thomas Taylor.

This distinguished gent is local mill owner Thomas Taylor. He gave £12,000 to buy the land & build the building that is now the museum. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, it opened as Wigan’s first free public library in 1878. This bust & a large painting of Thomas are on display in local studies.

Photograph of one of the conserved silk books. It is open at a page with blue, purple, and green patterned silk samples.

Photograph of cardboard sample designs with orange and green diamond shape designs.

Photograph of one of the Victorian display cabinets that the silk books are displayed in.

Last year three of our silk books were conserved thanks to a grant from AIM Pilgrim Trust Conservation Scheme. Silk manufacture was thriving in Leigh from 1827 to the early 1890s, and these wonderful survivors are now on display in local studies for everyone to enjoy.

Picture of a purple flame with the words Holocaust Memorial Day 27/1.

We would like you to join us in remembering those who were affected & continue to be affected today by conflict & inhumanity at one of the following commemoration events:

11am–12pm Leigh Town Hall, Leigh, WN7 1DY

2pm–3pm Wigan Town Hall, Wigan, WN1 1DF

www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/wigan-muse...

Photograph of a bookcase with shelves full of trade directories.

Photograph of one of trade directories open at the page that lists our building and library. It says that we are the town's central library and that the chief librarian is Arthur J Hawkes.

Today we are highlighting an excellent resource in local studies, our trade directories. These windows into the past are great for family and local history research and are free to access. We are open on the following days and there is always a member of staff to help!

Tues-Fri 10am-4pm
Sat 10-2pm

Poster for the Past Forward writing competition, with an image of a typewriter.

Passionate about writing? Love local history? Why not enter our Past Forward essay competition!

Open to adults (18+) & young people (11-18 years & under 11s), with the chance to be published & win a gift card.

Information at the link below. Deadline 20 Feb ✍️

www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Mus...

Poster with an image of the outside Wigan Museum in the background with details of local studies reopening and the museum still being closed.

We are delighted to share that Wigan Local Studies is open for all your computer, research, and family history needs. You can visit us Tues-Fri 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.

Wigan Museum is still closed for exhibition changeover, reopening Saturday 21st February.

The front page of the guide features brightly coloured bubble shapes including yellow, green, pink, orange, and blue.

Our latest What's On guide is out now! Jam packed with events, talks, and activities happening across all of our amazing venues, there really is something for everyone 😍

You can pick up your free copy at any of our venues, or access it online at the link below 👇

www.wigan.gov.uk/Docs/PDF/Res...

Christmas card featuring a young boy holding a present and surrounded by holly with the words 'speeding to wish you a merry Christmas'.

Wishing all our visitors and volunteers a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

The museum is closed until Saturday 21st February but local studies will reopen at 10am on Tuesday 6th January and we look forward to welcoming you back.

The actual gift box is made of brass and has the head of Princess Mary embossed on the lid along with the letter M. The example pictured also contains a photograph of the princess, an envelope with a royal monogram with the letter M, and a card that reads 'with best wishes for a victorious new year from Princess Mary and friends at home'.

Our next #Christmas object highlight is the Princess Mary gift box. Presented to British troops at this time of year in 1914 it contained gifts including tobacco, cards, & photographs. Paid for by a public fund backed by Princess Mary, the tins were delivered to WW1 soldiers serving abroad & at sea.

Made in England, this Codeg toy cash register is greyish blue in colour with blue, red, and white button levers to press to input money amounts. The drawer is red.

In the 1950s, children would have loved waking up on Christmas morning to find this under the tree. Still using pre-decimalisation currency, when the cash drawer opened a bell would ring and the drawers would have been filled with toy coins and notes. Do you remember playing shop as a child?