People’s History Museum (PHM) has acquired a rare Peterloo commemorative jug which it will be adding to its collection thanks to support from the Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries. Arriving to the museum in time for the anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre this everyday object carries a powerful story of political protest. It will be on temporary display in the galleries for visitors to get a first look from Saturday 1 August 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027.
The jug is distinctive in design for the map it carries of the site upon which the Peterloo Massacre took place – when, on 16 August 1819, yeomanry charged into a crowd of around 60,000 people who had gathered peacefully in Manchester to demand parliamentary reform, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and injuries to hundreds more.
Objects connected to the Peterloo Massacre are scarce, which is often the case for working class history. The jug will join significant Peterloo objects already on display at the museum including yeomanry sabres, a commemorative handkerchief, and a cane carried by one of the protestors. Experts believe the jug was made in the years following the massacre, and that it reflects the escalating public anger felt in the aftermath. Although it would have been produced on a commercial scale, no other examples of this design have been identified, making this exceptionally rare.
Jenny Mabbott, Head of Collections & Engagement at People’s History Museum, says, “We are thrilled to add this rare Peterloo commemorative jug to the museum’s collection and very thankful to the Art Fund for helping us to secure it. What first appears as a domestic object has been transformed in its decoration into a political statement. This jug provides a direct link to one of the defining moments in the history of democracy in Britain, and it’s wonderful to know that its new home will be at the national museum of democracy.”
Professor Robert Poole, Peterloo historian and author of works including Peterloo: the English Uprising (Oxford University Press, 2019) has supported efforts to bring the jug to People’s History Museum.
Professor Robert Poole, says, “The Peterloo commemorative jug is an exciting addition to the permanent Peterloo displays at People’s History Museum. Placed alongside the existing objects in the museum’s collection it adds a new dimension to the story of Peterloo, enriching our understanding of the event’s impact and legacy. There’s no more fitting place for it to be.”
The new Peterloo commemorative jug, together with a number of other significant objects from People’s History Museum’s collection, will feature in a new podcast series by UK family history website, Findmypast called A Family History Of… Alongside presenter and genealogist, Jen Baldwin, historian and broadcaster, David Olusoga OBE, Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester, will be examining what unfolded on 16 August 1819 and consider the significance of Peterloo then and now. The four part series includes a special bonus episode in which PHM’s Head of Collections and Engagement, Jenny Mabbott, will join Jen for a deeper dive into the museum’s Peterloo collection, revealing the stories behind the objects. The series will air from Tuesday 4 August on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
The events of Peterloo will also be part of a flagship event that is taking place at People’s History Museum on Saturday 19 September, organised in partnership with Heritage Open Days and Findmypast. Reflecting the festival’s 2026 theme of ‘Everyday Histories’, the day will be about uncovering the stories that shaped everyday life across England with talks on Peterloo and the suffragette movement among the highlights. Findmypast are specialists in UK and Irish family history, and visitors will be able to explore its extensive online archive of historical records and newspapers, build their family tree in minutes, and discover their ancestors’ lives and the world in which they lived. Entry is free, with more details available here.
Entry to People’s History Museum is free, with most visitors donating £10. Opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesdays. Gather café is open 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesdays, serving hot food until 3.00pm. PHM has a Changing Places toilet and lifts to its galleries. For further information about PHM, its latest programme of events and visiting the museum visit phm.org.uk, and you can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to receive PHM’s e-newsletter.
ENDS
For further information about PHM, to arrange a visit or interview please contact Fido PR: laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk / clare.short@fidopr.co.uk
You can read about the events of Peterloo in PHM’s blog created for the 200th anniversary here: https://phm.org.uk/protest-and-peterloo-the-story-of-16-august-1819/
Notes to editors:
About People’s History Museum
People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester is the UK’s national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. Through an eclectic and colourful mix of historic and contemporary collections, featuring banners, badges, posters, photography and more, the museum celebrates the radical stories of people coming together to champion ideas worth fighting for.
Offering an engaging programme of exhibitions and events, collaborating with communities to create authentic content, the museum is Family Friendly throughout – inspiring the next generation to be active citizens.
People’s History Museum encourages visitors to be empowered by the past to make a change for the future. We are all together in the fight for a fairer world.
About Arts Council England (ACE)
PHM is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The work of PHM is supported using public funding by ACE, the national development agency for creativity and culture. ACE have set out their strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 they want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 they will invest over £467 million of public money from government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.
About Art Fund
Art Fund is the national charity for museums and galleries. For over 120 years, it has helped institutions across the UK to develop and share their collections, invest in people and expertise, grow their audiences and inspire the next generation.
Art Fund connects museums and people with great art and culture through funding, advocacy and initiatives, because access to art is vital for a healthy society. It champions the sector through the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year award – the world’s largest museum prize – and supports museum professionals through dedicated training and grant programmes.
Independent and people-powered, Art Fund is supported by 148,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, as well as generous contributions from individuals, trusts and foundations. The National Art Pass offers free or discounted entry to over 1,000 museums, galleries and historic places in the UK, 50% off major exhibitions, a subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and Art In Your Inbox newsletter.
www.artfund.org
About Findmypast
Findmypast is a UK-based technology-driven search platform and genealogy subscription service that helps those with British & Irish roots uncover their ancestors’ lives. Their clever and innovative technology enables members to delve deeper into their family history within billions of unique historical newspapers and records, to gain a greater understanding of their ancestors and the world in which they lived.
Rooted in British and Irish culture, Findmypast works with trusted partners like the British Library and The National Archives to digitise and publish an ever-growing online archive that offers access to over 1000 years of history.
Findmypast is wholly owned by DC Thomson, a historic family-run publishing company. We take pride in our passionate and expert team, united by our values of Honour History, Create Magic, Stay Curious and Be Human.
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