Visitor Notices →
Tuesday mornings - When planning your visit, please be aware that the museum and Wigan Local Studies may be busier than normal on Tuesday mornings, 10am - 11:30am due to school workshops
Saturday 9th September – Wigan Local Studies will be closed to the public all day. The museum remains open as normal.
On this page you will find details of museums and archives exhibitions and events.
The Museum of Wigan Life is free unless otherwise stated.
If you have any event queries, you can contact the museums and archives team
Exhibitions
NHS 75
What was life like in the borough before the NHS? Who has helped shape our healthcare in the last 75 years? What might a healthy future look like? Learn more in our new
temporary exhibition to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service.
- When? Throughout 2023
- Where? Archives: Wigan & Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? – no
Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor
Until January 2024
Price: Free
Celebrating Wigan Borough’s unique history of music and entertainment.
From Cinemas and Local Legends to Brass Bands, Jazz and Northern Soul this dynamic exhibition brings to life the incredible range of musical genres our towns have embraced and called their own. Expect to see and hear the very best with original objects and music from Wigan Casino, George Formby, The Verve, Buzzcocks and much more. This engaging, interactive, family-friendly exhibition has something for everyone and your musical memories will come flooding back!
Uncle Joes - Making Life Sweeter Since for Over 125 Years
Temporary display
Price: Free
Uncle Joe’s is a much-loved name in Wigan and well known around the world. Immortalised in countless articles, cartoons, poems, and even a song, these small but mighty sweets are an important part of the town and have been immensely popular since their creation. Still manufactured using traditional methods, 2023 sees the company celebrate its 125th anniversary. This new display brings the brand to life and tells the story like never before.
Ancient Egypt
Permanent display
Price: Free
Our popular Ancient Egypt Rediscovered exhibition is now on permanent display so get up close and personal with ancient coffins and grave goods. This amazing collection covers over 3000 years of Egyptian history and includes a stunning gold coffin mask dating from period of Tutankhamun, outer coffin pieces, shabtis and artefacts from the Roman and Greek occupation of Egypt.
Upcoming events
Leigh Town Hall Tour
Join a member of the archives team for a behind the scenes tour of the historic town hall building. Availability is limited so you must book in advance
Soul Time - Music and chat group
Join Manchester Camerata for Soul Time – a music and chat group for people living well with dementia and their families. Come to the museum for a relaxed and informal session set to music.
- When? Every other Monday, 1:30pm - 2.30pm, starting 4th September 2023
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free event
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in.
Playful Saturdays
Bring your little explorers along to Playful Saturdays at Leigh Town Hall and discover some of the secrets of the archives! Build your own wacky invention inspired by the amazing inventors of Leigh, or maybe have a go at adding colour to archive photographs.
- When? Every Saturday, 10am-1pm and 1:30-4pm
- Where? Archives Wigan and Leigh, Leigh Town Hall
- What is the cost? Free event
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in.
Museum Minis
Calling all parents and carers with little ones. Looking for somewhere to go with your museum minis? Then look no further! Join us at the museum for a fun and relaxed session full of engaging storytelling, songs, and craft activities. Suitable for age 0-5 years.
- When? Every Wednesday, 10:30am - 11:45am starting September
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £1.50 per child. Includes drinks for parents / carers and children
- Do I need to book? No, just drop in
Museum of Wigan Life building lunchtime tour
Fancy something exciting to do during your lunch break? Then look no further! Join us at the museum for our new bi-monthly building and permanent display tours.
- When? 12-12.45pm Wednesday’s 2nd August, 4th October.
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Make Some Noise exhibition lunchtime tour
Fancy something exciting to do during your lunch break? Then look no further! Join us at the museum for our new bi-monthly music exhibition tours.
- When? 12-12.45pm Wednesday’s 6th September, 1st November, 17th January.
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Wigan Diggers Festival fringe events
Join us at the museum for Diggers Festival for fun fringe events to include crafts, face painting, and a screening of the Gerard Winstanley film.
- When? Saturday 9th September, 11-2pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No, just drop in.
Leigh Between the Wars
What was life like in James Hilton’s Leigh? Join Michael Caine as he takes us through Leigh as it was between the wars.
Heritage Open Day
The Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan Local Studies Library offer a fantastic opportunity for learning and discovery. The museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library, and it was the town's first public building with electric lighting. Opened in 1878, it is an Alfred Waterhouse designed building who also designed the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall. In 1936 George Orwell researched his book 'The Road to Wigan Pier' in the reference library upstairs.
Our curators will guide you through our fantastic Make Some Noise music exhibition, the building, and displays that will include getting up close and personal with ancient coffins, a gold coffin mask from the same period as Tutankhamun, as well grave goods and shabtis in our Ancient Egypt display. This amazing collection covers over 3000 years of Egyptian history. You will also explore Roman Wigan, Civil War, and Wigan’s early trade and industry.
- When? Saturday 16th September, 10-2pm. Tours 11am and 1pm.
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No, just drop in.
Workshop: Enjoying the View
A mindful, creative, and fun journey around the historical and present-day beautiful views our local area offers. Specially created for people affected by dementia.
This session will take place at Archives: Wigan & Leigh.
- When? 21 September, 11am – 1pm
- Where? Archives Wigan & Leigh, Leigh Town Hall
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking advised – email archives@wigan.gov.uk
Workshop: Enjoying The View
A mindful, creative, and fun journey around the historical and present day beautiful views our local area offers. Specially created for people affected by dementia.
This session will take place at Pennington Flash.
- When? 5th October, 11am-1pm
- Where? Pennington Flash
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? – yes, email archives@wigan.gov.uk
Wigan Casino by Russ Winstanley
Join Wigan Casino all-nighter founder and DJ Russ Winstanley for a nostalgic look at the famous Northern Soul venue that inspired a generation. Hear about the incredible atmosphere, heart wrenching tunes, and how people danced the night away at the world-renowned club.
- When? Friday 6th October, 12-1pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Black Victorians in Leigh and Wigan
Brian Joyce discusses some of the often overlooked stories of black Victorians in Leigh and Wigan.
Appley Bridge Meteorite by Russell Parry
Catch this popular talk and fascinating insight into the fall, and discovery, of the Appley Bridge meteorite in 1914, as told through newspaper reports and archive documents of the time. The meteorite explosion, the fireball, the confusion with enemy Zeppelins, the confiscation of the meteorite by the police, and its subsequent release for analysis will all be told.
- When? Saturday 14th October, 12-1pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £2.50pp
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Inside Pharaoh's Wardrobe with Professor Joann Fletcher
Following last year’s centenary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, the tomb's antechamber began to be cleared the following year. And among the wonderful things it contained were the chests and boxes housing royal clothing and adornments, some of which were identified in the 1990s by a team which included Jo herself.
Professor Jo Fletcher is based in the Department of Archaeology at the University of York. She is also Chair of Trustees at Scarborough Museums and Galleries, patron of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, Lead Ambassador for the Egypt Exploration Society, and advisor to the Museum of Wigan Life.
- When? Saturday 14th October, 3-4pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £5pp
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Crafts in the Archives
Get ready for Halloween and learn more about local folklore. Pop into Leigh Town Hall and try your hand at some of our fun family craft activities through the October half term.
- When? 24 Oct – 28 Oct
- Where? Archives Wigan and Leigh, Leigh Town Hall
- What is the cost? Free event
- Do I need to book? No
Family Friendly Town Hall Tour
Do you have what it takes to become an Archivist? Come on a hands-on tour to find out!
Halloween craft activities
Join us for some creepy Halloween craft activities, face painting, and a fiendishly fun family trail with ghoulish treats to be won. We’d love to see your fancy dress costumes too!
- When? Thursday 26th October 12-2pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No, just drop in.
Soul Music and Social Change with Stuart Cosgrove
Join Stuart Cosgrove, author of the ground-breaking Black Social History and soul music books ‘Detroit 67’, ‘Memphis 68’, and ‘Harlem 69’ for a unique event that will look at the struggles Black American soul artists faced, the hardships, the heartbreaks, and put into context the influence they had on Wigan Casino, the Northern Soul scene in general, and the wider music scene in this country.
Stuart Cosgrove is a journalist and former editor of NME and The Face. He joined Channel 4 in 1994, serving for eight years as Controller of Arts and Entertainment, and then as Head of Programmes (Nations and Regions). Chairing the event is John Manship, a highly respected DJ, collector, author, international soul music auction house owner, and world-leading authority on Northern Soul.
- When? Saturday 28th October, 3-4.30pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
The Duke of Bridgewater’s Underground Coal Mining Canals, 1760 to date with Alan Davies
The Third Duke of Bridgewater (The Canal Duke) embarked on a system of underground canals on four levels accessing a vast coalfield to the north and west, at the time regarded as one of the wonders of the engineering world. The canals branched out to draw coal from the workings of over 35 collieries, doing so until 1887. From the Worsley Delf entrance eventually over 52 miles of canals were eventually driven. The system was last maintained and regularly inspected in 1968 as it continued to drain modern collieries to the west. Speaker Alan Davies was involved in the 1999 feasibility study along with the Mines Rescue service, he produced the only colour film ever produced of the canals during the survey. Fully illustrated.
- When? 23rd November, 12-1pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £2.50pp
- Do I need to book? Yes, booking is essential.
- How do I book? Call 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk
Wigan Little Theatre pantomime selection from Jack and Jill
Join us for a select performance from Jack and Jill, this year’s Wigan Little Theatre pantomime. Pantomime is often the first taste young people have of the theatre and can lead to a lifetime passion. Wigan Little Theatre has been entertaining the Borough with this festive show for over 75 years.
- When? Saturday 25th November, 12-1pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No, just drop in.
Victorian Christmas craft activities
Ho ho ho, let’s go Christmas Crackers! Step back in time and make your own Victorian style Christmas cards, crackers, and tree decorations.
- When? Saturday 16th December, 12-2pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No, just drop in.
Archives: Wigan and Leigh Exhibition in Leigh Town Hall
Visit the new exhibition in Leigh Town Hall exploring local history. Enjoy some hands on family friendly fun, be inspired by the collections on show and build a Lego masterpiece.