The People’s History Museum (the National Museum of Labour History until 2001) in Manchester, England, is the UK’s national centre for the collection, conservation, interpretation and study of material relating to the history of working people in the UK. It is located in a grade II-listed, former hydraulic pumping station on the corner of the Bridge Street and Water Street.
The museum tells the story of the history of in Great Britain and about people’s lives at home, work and leisure over the last 200 years. The collection contains printed material, physical objects and photographs of people at work, rest and play. Some of the topics covered include popular radicalism, the Peterloo Massacre, 19th century trade unionism, the women’s suffrage movement, dockers, the cooperative movement, the 1945 general election, and football.
Key facts & figures about PHM
- One of only two national museums in Manchester city centre
- The first public building in Britain to be built with an extraordinary Corten metal shell
- Contains 1,384 square metres of exhibition space
- Displays almost 1,500 historic objects
- Displays the largest number of trade union and other banners in the world
- Allows visitors to see behind the scenes into Britain’s only conservation studio dedicated to the preservation of banners
- Houses a unique archive containing the collections of the Labour Party, the Communist Party of Great Britain and much more
- Offers an inspiring Learning Programme for all ages, from pre-school to adult learners
- Has dedicated community exhibition spaces open to individuals and groups to display their own exhibitions
- Offers an exciting programme of public events throughout the year including tours, talks and performances
- Attracts over 125,000 visitors a year
- Continues to attract a higher proportion of foreign visitors than any other museum in the city
- Has high quality spaces available to hire for meetings and events including the magnificent Engine Hall and the stunning Coal Store Conference Room
- Has a gift shop selling a unique range of books, homeware and souvenirs based on the museum’s outstanding collections
- Houses Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar, the first museum cafe & bar in the country that intercepts food that would otherwise go to waste
- Celebrates the stories of the radical thinkers whose big ideas have shaped our society, and invites you to Join the Radicals