On this page you will find details of museums and archives exhibitions and events.
Wigan Museum is free unless otherwise stated.
If you have any event queries, you can contact the Wigan Museum and Archives: Wigan & Leigh teams.
Exhibitions
Archives: Wigan and Leigh permanent exhibition
This amazing display of local stories, archives, and museum objects showcases the local history of the East side of the borough. Our team and volunteers are on hand to answer your questions and help you explore the collection!
- Where? Archives: Wigan and Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No
Catch as catch can wrestling
Did you know that Wigan was long known as a hot bed of wrestling? Discover the history of the unique Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling style, and the stories of the fighters keeping the sport alive.
- Where? Archives: Wigan and Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No
Upcoming events
Leigh Town Hall tour
Join us for this exciting tour of Leigh Town Hall and see behind-the-scenes of the new Archives: Wigan & Leigh. Availability is limited so you must book in advance.
Relaxed mornings
This time is specially dedicated to visitors with special needs. What’s special about it? It will be a SEND-friendly environment with low number of visitors, sensory resources to use during your visit and staff will be available to help with anything you need.
- When? Last Saturday of the month, 10am - 12pm
- Where? Archives Wigan and Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in
Museum minis
Join us at the museum for a fun and relaxed session full of engaging songs, stories, and craft activities. Cost includes drink for minis and grownups. Suitable for age 0-5 years.
When? Every Wednesday (term time only) starting Wed 26th February 10:30 - 11:45am
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? £1.50
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite (external link)
Summer holiday fun
School’s out! Come and get involved with our family friendly What’s in Store exhibition. Get hands-on with our craft cart, build with Lego, create a masterpiece to hang in our visitor art gallery, solve our trails, and more!
When? 19th July to 30th August
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? Free
Do I need to book? No, just drop in
History of Manchester by Brian Groom
Taking inspiration from his latest book ‘History of Manchester’, Brian will look at the towns and cities that make up Greater Manchester including Wigan! Possible book signing.
When? Saturday 20th September, 12pm - 1pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? £3.50 includes drink
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite
The Standish Family of Standish and Borwick, rebels to activists 1688-1788
The Standish Family are famous locally as one of the most prominent Catholic families in the area. Their estates spread across Standish, and they even held lands in Borwick, Near Carnforth. This talk looks at their political efforts first as Jacobite rebels and their shift into less violent activism and why this process took place.
The talk will be followed by the chance to see some of our printed collections in Local Studies.
When? Wednesday 24th September, 10:30am - 12pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? Free
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite or 01942 828128.
Mining in Ancient Egypt and Beyond
The ancient Egyptians are well-known for their lavish use of gold and precious stones to adorn and protect both their bodies and monumental structures and to use as diplomatic gifts. In this talk Jo will examine the ways in which they extracted such materials from their distinctive landscape, and how these materials were then processed to serve multiple purposes, one of which is reflected in the gilded coffin face of the 18th dynasty ‘Wigan Lady’.
Prof. Joann Fletcher is based in the Department of Archaeology at the University of York and is patron of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust and Lead Local Ambassador for the Egypt Exploration Society. Her BAFTA-winning TV work includes the BBC series 'Immortal Egypt with Joann Fletcher', and as part of an international team which discovered the world’s earliest use of coal, she is currently researching mining in the ancient world.
When? Saturday 4th October, 3pm - 4pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? £5
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite
Civil War in Lancashire Day with Earl of Manchester’s and David Casserly
A talk covering the three Civil Wars in relation to what happened in Lancashire and its impact and influence on the national picture. The talk is based on the research for David’s book “Massacre, the Storming of Bolton” and will be split into two parts, the first covering the First civil War period of 1642 to 1646, while the second part will cover the Second Civil War 1648 - 1648 and the Third Civil War of 1650 - 1651. It will include the famous events such as the Bolton Massacre, the siege of Lathom House, and the battle of Wigan Lane, as well as little-known actions such as Westhoughton in 1642 and the Wigan in 1643.
Alongside the talk, downstairs there will be family friendly Civil War reenactors courtesy of the Earl of Manchester’s, related resources, trails, crafts, and scale diorama of the Battle of Wigan Lane with Jim Meehan and Cameron Fleming available to answer any questions.
When? Saturday 11th October, 10am - 1:30pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? Free
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite for the talk. No need to book for the reenactors
Wigan & Corrie by Sean Jinks
The fictional suburb of Weatherfield & the very real town of Wigan have a lot in common - cobbles, chimney pots, and characters. Both are proudly Northern and working class.
This talk from Sean Jinks looks at the critical role that the town of Wigan has played in the success of the television institution that is Coronation Street. From the shows first "wild child", the many Wigan Rovers Return barmaids, the scriptwriter from Standish, and when the stars of the show came to visit the town. This talk also looks at the origins of the show and its influence on Germany! A talk not to be missed.
When? Saturday 18th October, 12pm - 1pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? £3.50 includes drink
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite or 01942 828128
Midday Plane to Georgia by David Yeates
David was born in 1971 and was raised in Ashton-in–Makerfield. His African-American father served at Burtonwood Airbase, one of the largest American airbases outside of America. His father returned home to Atlanta Georgia a few months after his birth, not knowing he had been born. Hear David tell the story of each of his highs and several of his lows. David will read extracts from his unpublished memoir ‘Midday Plane to Georgia’ which details his struggle for racial identity and the difficulties of being born with brown skin within a milk bottle white working-class environment. He also shares his lifelong passion for music culture.
At the age of 31 David finally tracked down his biological Dad 4000 miles away, met a whole new family for the very first time, and discovered that his Aunties and Uncles were friends of Civil Rights Leader Dr Martin Luther King. David has worked within the NHS as a mental health therapist for 14 years and is an active member of the Culture World writing group based in Manchester.
When? Saturday 25th October, 12pm - 1pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? £3.50 includes drink
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite or 01942 828128
Science Day - Who Wants to be a Superhero?
Just what exactly do engineers and scientists do? How do planes fly? How can we see through the dust in space? How do engineers make playgrounds safer to play in? How are they saving lives, and the planet?
Meet six real-life young engineers and scientists working in the UK. Each one has made a short video about their job and what they enjoy most about it. Our presenter weaves these stories together with discussion and interactive demonstrations involving volunteers from the audience.
The show introduces students to a wide range of careers and shows them that engineers and scientists are people just like them!
When? Friday 31st October 11am - 12pm and 1pm - 2pm
Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
What is the cost? £5
Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite or Wigan Museum.