People's History Museum

Over het museum

The collection behind People's History Museum began in the 1970s, when the Trade Union, Labour and Co-operative History Society ran a collection at Limehouse Town Hall in London. The museum moved to Manchester and reopened in 1990 in the former Mechanics' Institute on Princess Street, and in 1994 it opened a public gallery in the Pump House on Bridge Street, its present site. The two sites were renamed People's History Museum in 2001.

The Bridge Street building closed in 2007 for a redevelopment costing £12.5 million. The refurbished Pump House was joined to a new four-storey extension by a glass walkway, and the museum reopened in February 2010. It is an independent charity and has Accredited status and Designated status from Arts Council England for collections of national importance.

The museum describes itself as the national museum of democracy and tells the story of how democracy developed in Britain. Its two permanent galleries cover events such as the Peterloo Massacre, the Match Girls' Strike, votes for women and workers' rights, using objects, banners and hands-on interactives. The Labour History Archive and Study Centre, open by appointment, holds archives of the labour movement, and a viewing window gives a glimpse into the working Conservation Studio. Entry is free, and visitors are encouraged to make a donation.

Hoogtepunten

• Gallery One and Gallery Two on the story of democracy in Britain
• Stories of the Peterloo Massacre, the Match Girls' Strike and votes for women
• Banner Exhibition of trade union and campaign banners
• Viewing window into the Conservation Studio
• Labour History Archive and Study Centre (by appointment)
• Suffragette kitchen and hands-on interactives for families

Vaste collectie

• Gallery One and Gallery Two – Two permanent galleries about the radicals and changemakers of British democracy, including Peterloo, the Match Girls' Strike, votes for women and workers' rights.
• Banner Exhibition – A display of campaign and trade union banners across the two galleries, with changing banners.

Opgericht

1975

Beheerder

People's History Museum (registered charity)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Entry to the museum is free. The museum is an independent charity and asks for donations (most visitors give £10), by cash or card. Paid events use a range of price options, including pay it forward, standard, discounted and free tickets. National Art Pass holders get 20% off in the museum shop.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The main entrance has automatic sliding doors, a ramp with a handrail and six steps, and the foyer is level. A lift serves all floors; the lift near the foyer is wheelchair accessible with tactile markings and audio announcements, while the smaller lift in the Engine Hall suits manual wheelchairs but may be too small for electric wheelchairs and scooters. A manual wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge if requested in advance, and there are plug points for mobility scooters. There are gender-neutral accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor (RADAR key or ask at the welcome desk), plus accessible toilets on the lower ground and second floors. Assistance dogs and registered emotional support dogs are welcome. A quiet room is available, and ear defenders and sensory fidgets can be borrowed at access stations on each floor for public events. British Sign Language interpretation and audio description for events can be requested in advance. There is no on-site parking; Blue Badge holders can park free in any bay at the Bridge Street car park. AccessAble has produced a detailed access guide.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

The museum is suitable for all ages and won a Family Friendly Museum Award from Kids in Museums. Hands-on interactives in every gallery include a suffragette kitchen with a board game and a vintage jukebox. Baby changing is available in the ground floor toilets, and an emergency nappy can be requested. Tables and benches in the picnic area can be moved for pushchairs. Family friendly exhibitions, events, workshops and activities, including in school holidays.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The what3words address of the museum is quite.vouch.claim. Walking routes from Piccadilly station (22 minutes, 1.1 miles) and other places are described on the museum's website.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Kluisjes

The cafe Gather serves brunch, lunch, cakes and drinks, is open 10am to 5pm except Tuesdays and takes card payments only. A picnic area is in the foyer. The shop is open the same hours as the museum and online. There are 24 key-operated lockers (12 on the ground floor and 12 on the lower ground floor) that do not need a coin. Eating and drinking is not allowed in the galleries.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Tot 200 personen.

The Engine Hall holds 90 people cabaret style, 120 for dining, 150 in lecture style or 200 standing; other spaces can be hired for corporate events, weddings, filming and social occasions.

Je bezoek plannen