People’s History Museum is the national museum of democracy. Visit the museum’s main galleries and explore the development of democracy in Britain: past, present and future.
From the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 to the present day, meet the revolutionaries, reformers, workers, voters, and citizens who believed in and continue to inspire ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all.
In Main Gallery Two get up close to items from strikes that changed the face of protest using augmented reality (AR) through a specially created app revealing 3D digital scans of objects and archive material. Download the app ahead of your visit to your Apple or Android device.
In Main Gallery One discover the Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 and experience the harsh working conditions at the Bryant & May match factory through an arcade style game.
Funded by AIM Biffa Award, developed in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University to raise the profile of two important History Makers; Annie Besant who supported the Match Girls’ Strike of 1888, and Jayaben Desai who led the Grunwick strike of 1976 to 1978.
CitizensThe first theme of Main Gallery Two is all about politics and protest post 1945. Rather than being revolutionaries, reformers, workers or voters, have we become citizens? This theme looks at Britain after the vote has been secured for all.
Politics from 1950 to 1979, then 1979 to almost the present day. Politics moves to being more issue based rather than about political parties – war and peace, equality, LGBT+ rights, green issues, strikes and migration changes as a result of the end of empire.
This section covers how time off was won as well as what people did with their new leisure time. Displays include information on working class leisure activities such as football, including items from the collection of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), plus music and the Musicians’ Union.
Time Off? also includes information on the Co-op, which was formed in Greater Manchester by the Rochdale Pioneers, friendly societies and the ‘saving for a rainy day’ philosophy.
BannersThis area of Main Gallery Two is double height especially to showcase some of the museum’s most impressive and significant banners.
Some of the banners are displayed showing both sides which gives a unique view. An audiovisual show helps to create the atmosphere of the culmination of a march or protest with crowds of people, lots of noise and banners fluttering in the wind.
This is where you also have the opportunity to take a look into The Conservation Studio, a purpose-built space dedicated to conservation, specialising in the treatment of textiles. From the viewing area you can see the Conservation Team working on the museum’s collection, as well as objects being conserved for other museums, communities and private collections.
Family Friendly gallery, suitable for all ages.
Please note the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Are you more independent or community-focused? Experimental or measured? Prefer work or play?
Take our quick quiz to find out which radical you are! At the end we’ll offer you access to our free e-newsletter which matches your interests to what’s on at PHM.
