Museum of Wigan Life
Encyclopedia
The Museum of Wigan Life is a public museum and local history resource centre in Wigan
, Greater Manchester
. Formerly Wigan Library and later the History Shop, it is most noted as the library where George Orwell
researched his book The Road to Wigan Pier
in 1936.
and opened in 1878 as the town's first public library. Its construction was funded by local mill owner Thomas Taylor and Dr Joseph Winnard, who each bequeathed £12,000. Dr Winnard's donation paid for the library's books, and portraits of both benefactors remain on display at the museum today. Built on the site of Wigan Grammar School, Wigan Library was opened on 7 May 1878. A Grade II listed building, its red brick arches represent the Gothic features which embellish the largely Elizabethan Revival Style chosen by Waterhouse.
Upon its opening, the library comprised two main floors. The ground floor contained an ornate entrance hall, lending library and newsroom, whilst the first floor incorporated a reference library and the Corporation's Public Library Committee meeting room. A third floor, later used for storage and later still as a staff rest-room, accommodated the custodian or caretaker-cum-security officer's flat.
After eight months of discerning book acquisition –nationally renowned specialists were consulted on the selection of new books– the reference library totalled 15,300 volumes and the lending library 6,808. In response to the popularity of the newsroom where current newspapers and periodicals were held, an annexe was built on to the original building in 1892.
Initially, the History Shop shared building space with the Wigan Careers Service. When they were forced to move out in 1995, however, an opportunity arose for Wigan Heritage Services to take over the entire building. Funding for this –a total of £260,000– would come from the National Lottery
and Monica Whickham, last surviving daughter of Wigan vicar William Whickham. In honour of their donation, the art gallery space situated near the Library Street entrance was renamed the Whickham Gallery.
money was matched by Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust for the building's redevelopment, which saw extensive internal and external restoration. The roof was re-tiled, whilst the ground floor exhibition space was overhauled to focus on aspects of Wigan life and culture. New features included an extra staircase, family study area as well as a revamped reception area, meeting room and shop.
The museum was formally opened by Mayor of Wigan
Michael Winstanley on 1 July 2010. In its first six months of operation, the renovated building saw 16,000 visits.
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
. Formerly Wigan Library and later the History Shop, it is most noted as the library where George Orwell
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
researched his book The Road to Wigan Pier
The Road to Wigan Pier
The Road to Wigan Pier is a book by the British writer George Orwell, first published in 1937. The first half of this work documents his sociological investigations of the bleak living conditions amongst the working class in Lancashire and Yorkshire in the industrial north of England before World...
in 1936.
Wigan Public Library (1878–1990)
The building which now houses the Museum of Wigan Life was designed by Alfred WaterhouseAlfred Waterhouse
Alfred Waterhouse was a British architect, particularly associated with the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. He is perhaps best known for his design for the Natural History Museum in London, and Manchester Town Hall, although he also built a wide variety of other buildings throughout the...
and opened in 1878 as the town's first public library. Its construction was funded by local mill owner Thomas Taylor and Dr Joseph Winnard, who each bequeathed £12,000. Dr Winnard's donation paid for the library's books, and portraits of both benefactors remain on display at the museum today. Built on the site of Wigan Grammar School, Wigan Library was opened on 7 May 1878. A Grade II listed building, its red brick arches represent the Gothic features which embellish the largely Elizabethan Revival Style chosen by Waterhouse.
Upon its opening, the library comprised two main floors. The ground floor contained an ornate entrance hall, lending library and newsroom, whilst the first floor incorporated a reference library and the Corporation's Public Library Committee meeting room. A third floor, later used for storage and later still as a staff rest-room, accommodated the custodian or caretaker-cum-security officer's flat.
After eight months of discerning book acquisition –nationally renowned specialists were consulted on the selection of new books– the reference library totalled 15,300 volumes and the lending library 6,808. In response to the popularity of the newsroom where current newspapers and periodicals were held, an annexe was built on to the original building in 1892.
The History Shop (1990–2010)
In 1990, due to increasing need for space, Wigan Library was relocated to the New Town Hall, formerly the site of Wigan Mining and Technical College. In 1992, the newly-formed Wigan Heritage Services opened the History Shop in the old library building with the intention of hosting travelling (temporary) and in-house (permanent) exhibitions. Also housed there would be the Wigan Local History collection, parish registers and census returns in a study/research area on the building's first floor.Initially, the History Shop shared building space with the Wigan Careers Service. When they were forced to move out in 1995, however, an opportunity arose for Wigan Heritage Services to take over the entire building. Funding for this –a total of £260,000– would come from the National Lottery
National Lottery (United Kingdom)
The National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.It is operated by Camelot Group, to whom the licence was granted in 1994, 2001 and again in 2007. The lottery is regulated by the National Lottery Commission, and was established by the then...
and Monica Whickham, last surviving daughter of Wigan vicar William Whickham. In honour of their donation, the art gallery space situated near the Library Street entrance was renamed the Whickham Gallery.
The Museum of Wigan Life (2010–)
The History Shop was closed in 2009 following the announcement of a £1.6million refurbishment, to be reopened the following year as the Museum of Wigan Life. £500,000 of Heritage Lottery FundHeritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
money was matched by Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust for the building's redevelopment, which saw extensive internal and external restoration. The roof was re-tiled, whilst the ground floor exhibition space was overhauled to focus on aspects of Wigan life and culture. New features included an extra staircase, family study area as well as a revamped reception area, meeting room and shop.
The museum was formally opened by Mayor of Wigan
Mayor of Wigan
The Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan is the "First Citizen", Chairman of the Wigan Council and elected representative of the Wigan Borough on a national and international level...
Michael Winstanley on 1 July 2010. In its first six months of operation, the renovated building saw 16,000 visits.