Meet the Secret Society Skeleton, become a curious code breaker, spin a spooky story, and discover the trick or truth stories behind the Match Girls’ Strike at People’s History Museum (PHM) this Halloween. From Thursday 1 October to Monday 30 November, the national museum of democracy opens its doors for some frightfully fun free activities.
In preparation for Halloween, PHM’s curators have been uncovering the eerie story of the Secret Society Skeleton, a painting that hangs in the museum’s galleries. Dating back to the early 1800s, on closer inspection it reveals a chilling tale. The painting was used by trade unions as part of an initiation ceremony in which it would be unfurled before new members, who had to swear an oath of allegiance, sometimes at gunpoint. The skeleton was a warning not to break the organisation’s secret code of silence, carrying the haunting words: ‘Remember Thy End’. But what about the strange symbols that appear as part of the artwork? That mystery is for young code breakers to crack…
Every good Halloween adventure needs the right disguise. So families can begin their visit by creating their own spooky masks, before heading into the museum to investigate the skeleton’s secrets and have a go at creating a colourful tale with a spooky twist in the new storytelling zone.
Part of the quest includes a trick or truth encounter with the history of the Match Girls’ Strike, which took place in 1888 to protest the poor working conditions experienced by children including as young as six. Families will put their detective skills to the test when they are challenged to separate fact from fiction to reveal what really happened during the famous strike.
Halloween activity sheets are free and can be collected from the welcome desk upon arrival to PHM. Crafting takes place in the museum’s welcome area and the activities are on the galleries, which are free to visit.
People’s History Museum’s 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. Family Friendly options are always on the menu, which for half term (Saturday 24 to Sunday 1 November) takes a Halloween twist with pumpkin soup and seasonally themed cakes and drinks also being served. There is also a picnic area for those bringing their own food and a water station for all visitors to use. PHM has a Changing Places toilet and lifts to its galleries. Museum entry is free, with most visitors donating £10.
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
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.
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