Looking for something to do for FREE during half term? We have crafts sessions on Sat 23 & Wed 27 May 11am-12:30pm. Raaaar! Tommy the TRex is back for Dinosaur Day on Sat 30th MAY 11am-1pm. Get involved with themed activities, trails, & more!🦖 No need to book, all events are drop in & FREE!

Have you heard of a toother? Or a walk flatter? These are examples of occupations taken from the 1881 census report, mentioned again in the Results of the Census in 1901 (photographed). Have you come across any unfamiliar occupations in your family history research? We would love to hear them 😍

Love being creative? Why not join Let's Shape Our Creativity here at the museum for a relaxed session with no rules, just the joy of creating something beautiful to take home. 🗓️ Mon 27 April ⌚ 6pm-8pm 💷 £13 pp inc all art materials Book via link below letsshapeourcreativity.co.uk/products/fro...

From mining talks and museum tours, to artist makers sessions we have a programme of events that are available to book, many of them FREE of charge 😍 Book via the link below or ring 01942 828128. #Wigan #GolborneMiningDisaster #Events #Museum www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/76968080343

Today we are sharing our volumes of Mining Deaths compiled by Ian Winstanley. They hold details of all the men, women, & children who lost their lives in the mines of Great Britain between 1850-1914. Names are in chronological order, with information covering the full details of each accident.

On 18 March 1979, an explosion at Golborne Colliery profoundly impacted the local community & defined its mining history. Meet miners who were working that day & hear first-hand accounts of the tragedy that changed the town forever. Sat 16 May 12-1pm £3.50 www.eventbrite.com/e/golborne-m...

Join us for curator tours of our latest exhibition 'Wigan's Voice' and our building, Egypt, and Roman displays. Wigan's Voice: Wed 13 May 12-12:45pm Wed 8 July 12-12:45pm Permanent displays & building: Wed 3 June 12-12:45pm Booking via link or 01942 828128 www.eventbrite.com/cc/wigan-mus...

We are looking for a Freelance Project Manager to help deliver our new NLHF funded project - 'Wigan Museum: Our Northern Soul'. For more information about the role, please click on the link below or email Ben Whittaker at [email protected]. www.artsjobs.org.uk/jobs/search/...

On #NationalPetDay we are posting one of our favourites. During a walk in 1939, Peggy the dog saved the life of a 12 year old boy called Tom Brown who had fallen into #Wigan canal. She jumped in after him, kept him afloat until help arrived, and was awarded the VC equivalent for animal bravery 🥰

Wigan Cult Film are at the museum tomorrow with the cult classic 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'. Reviewed as the "sci-fi horror that's so gloriously bad, it's become one of the most beloved cult films of all time"... 🗓️ Sat 11 April ⏰ 6pm-8:30pm 💷 FREE Book via link 👇 www.eventbrite.com/e/movie-in-t...

Have you used our newspaper card index before? They are an amazing catalogue resource for our Wigan Observer newspaper collection, as well as biographical & local cutting books. Have you or someone you know ever been in the newspaper? Why not come in & see what you can find! #Wigan #LocalStudies

It's here! Come see us at Wigan History Festival 2026! ⛪ Wigan Parish Church 📆 Fri 10th & Sat 11th April ⏰ 10am-4pm We can't wait to join all the amazing groups involved and look forward to seeing you today and tomorrow.

#OnThisDay in 1917 local artist James Lawrence Isherwood was born. To mark the occasion, we are posting one of the many paintings by Isherwood that we hold in our collection. We chose this one as it is a self portrait, and feels fitting for his birthday. #art #wigan #LocalArtist #Isherwood

Join 'Wigan's Voice' commissioned artist Alex Shaw for a hands-on workshop exploring the hidden connections between water, soil, & landscape through simple demonstrations & creative activities. Saturday 9th May 11am-12pm FREE Book via link below or 01942 828128 www.eventbrite.com/e/from-bog-t...

We are closed today, Good Friday, but open as normal tomorrow (Saturday) 10am-2pm. We hope you have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend. Our opening hours are: Tues-Fri 10am-4pm Sat 10-2pm

We have many different art mediums on display in Wigan’s Voice, including two embroidered panels by Beryl Patton, and a framed piece of feltwork by an unknown artist. Embroidery and felting are some of the oldest forms of textile art and a great way to relax and get creative.

Come see us at the Wigan History Festival 2026! ⛪ Wigan Parish Church 📆 Fri 10th & Sat 11th April ⏰ 10am-4pm We are excited to join all the amazing groups involved and look forward to seeing you there. #wigan #localhistory #museum #history

As the clocks have gone forward, we wanted to share these wonderful long case clocks on display in the museum. Wigan is well known for clockmaking and these two examples were made by local craftsmen John Burges (left) and Archibald Coats (right). #wigan #museum #clocks

Something different this week before World Puppetry Day tomorrow. 'Puppets through Lancashire' is a personal narrative of a travelling puppet show, published in 1936, capturing the journey and its many pit-stops including Wigan. #wigan #localstudies #localhistory #puppets

There are still a few places available for Goofus Theatre's magical FREE puppet show 'All in a Mouse's Night' this Saturday. 🗓️ Saturday 21 March ⌚ 11-11:30am 💷 FREE Recommended for mouses aged 2-8 years. Book via link below or ring 01942 828128. #Wigan #Puppet www.eventbrite.com/e/all-in-a-m...

Take a moment to relax and reflect in our slow looking space. Sit down, get comfortable, breathe, and take your time. You don’t need any prior art history knowledge, just let your eyes do the work and you will notice more features and details. The two paintings are by local artist Max Ayres.

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! ❤️

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...

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...

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

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

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 😍

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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 📣

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!

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.

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.

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...

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

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.