WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE
The Wigan area has a long and rich history. Interest in our local
heritage has never been higher. Wigan Heritage Service, comprising The
History Shop and our Archives, Museums and Local History Services, seeks
to preserve this heritage and to interpret it to as wide an audience as
possible. Our Heritage Services Manager Alastair Gillies and he can be
contacted on (01942) 827375
The History Shop
The History Shop is our most recent heritage development. It is located
in the splendid setting of Alfred Waterhouse's 1878 library building on
Library Street, Wigan, and is, we believe, the first of its kind in
Britain.
Phase 1 opened in 1992 in the magnificent first floor reference library.
Phase 2 opened in August 1996 on the ground floor of the building, with
full disabled access.
The History Shop now offers the following:-
- 'Charter 96' - the first exhibition on the new Wickham Gallery,
commemorating Wigan's 750th anniversary as a royal borough.
- 'Founded on Coal' - the story of our area.
- Wigan's first traditional art gallery featuring painting's from the
Heritage Service's own collection, on display for the first time.
- Audio-visual theatre.
- The Charter Mural.
- Temporary exhibition gallery.
- Family and local history research area.
- Meeting room
- Monthly lecture programme
- Retail outlet - with a wide range or heritage-related merchandises,
including local history and genealogical books, photographs and an
assortment of souvenirs.
For more information on the History Shop ring (01942) 828128
Museums
As well as having a major input into The History Shop and Wigan Pier,
our Museums Service is responsible for Astley Green Colliery with its
magnificent engine house and outdoor display of industrial artefacts.
Museums' staff will be happy to help you identify objects and to
interpret your local heritage.
If you can fill a gap in our collections by donating objects to the
Museums Service please contact Yvonne Webb, Collections Development
Manager on (01942) 828123.
Archives
The Archives Service preserves, conserves, promotes and makes available
for consultation the written heritage of the Wigan area. The service,
based in Leigh Town Hall, holds a wide range of original archival
documents.
The Archives Service has a public search room in Leigh Town Hall, which
is equipped to accommodate up to nine researchers, using either original
archives or microfilm, (please make appointment). Copies of most
documents can be supplied. We also have an increasingly popular
photographic service.
Our Archives Officer, Nicholas Webb, can be contacted on (01942 404430).
Local History
Many of our libraries have material relating to the history of their
locality. However, the main local history collections are held in the
History Shop, Wigan, and the Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
In both centres a specialist local history officer is normally available
to help you with your research.
To find out more about our local history service please contact Bob
Blakeman on (01942) 828020 or Tony Ashcroft on (01942) 404559.
| History Shop, Library St, Wigan | Mon | 10.00am- 7.00pm
|
| Tues - Fri | 10.00am- 5.00pm
|
| Sat | 10.00am- 1.00pm
|
| Museums Service, History Shop, Library St, Wigan | " | " "
|
| Local History (Wigan Area), History Shop, Library St, Wigan | " | " "
|
| Local History (Leigh Area), Turnpike centre, Leigh Library | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri | 10.00am - 7.00pm
|
| Wed | 10.00am- 5.00pm
|
| | Sat | 10.00am- 1.00pm
|
| Archives Searchroom, Townhall, Leigh | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri | 10.00am - 1.00pm
|
| | 2.00pm- 4.30pm
|
| Astley Green Colliery, Higher Lane, Astley, Nr. Manchester | Tues, Thurs | 1.00pm - 5.00pm
|
| Sun | 11.00am - 5.00pm
|
[Last updated: Wednesday, 27-May-2009 14:19:56 BST - Phil Stringer]
