The People’s History Museum is an intriguing museum that holds the UK’s national collection of materials related to the history of democracy and working people in the UK. The museum is within a former hydraulic pumping station and features exhibits on trade unionism, women’s suffrage, dockers, football and friendly societies.
The museum offers over 2,000 artefacts to explore, so most visitors spend a few hours touring the extensive collections. The museum is a must-visit for anyone interesting in history and politics or who want to teach their children about history and democracy in the UK.
People's History Museum in Manchester - one of the highlights of 11 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Manchester and 11 Best Museums and Galleries in Manchester (Read all about Manchester here)
photo by Bernard Randall (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Highlights of the People’s History Museum
The People’s History Museum is home to one of the largest collections of political artefacts dating back to the 19th century. Much of the collection centres on the right to vote and includes posters for elections and political campaigns, political cartoons and photographs. You’ll also find trade union and political banners, union tokens and union badges.
One of the museum highlights is the Labour History Archive and Study Centre, which is an archive of material about the working people in Britain. You’ll find exhibits on the Labour Party and the Communist Party of Great Britain and documents from elections, wars, women’s suffrage and the 1984-1985 miners’ strike.
photo by Patyo1994 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Good to know when visiting the People’s History Museum
The People’s History Museum is free to visit, but donations are appreciated. Before visiting, you must register for a date and time. When you arrive, a Visitor Services staff member will check your name on the list of registered visitors, so you don’t need to bring your booking confirmation with you.
Conveniently located in the city centre, the museum is easy to reach by bike, bus, train, tram or foot. You can also drive yourself and park in the nearby city centre parking area. You’ll find many other attractions near the museum, including the National Football Museum and the Science and Industry Museum.
People's History Museum in Manchester
Location: Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER, UK
Open: Tuesday—Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +44 (0)1618 389190
Start planning your trip
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