Wigan Museum

09/10/2026

Did you know that you can also find us on Bluesky? 💙

As well as our Facebook and Instagram pages, we also run a Bluesky account!

Follow us there to see what we're up to and stay informed on all things Wigan Museum and Local Studies! 🤩

Showcasing Wigan Borough through exhibitions, events, and local studies. Operated by wigancouncil.bsky.social. Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm. Saturday 10am-2pm.

08/10/2026

"Going North" is going back to stores 🎨

We're continuing to prepare for a total transformation of our grand floor exhibition space 🤩

The painting by George Earl was one of the last objects still in the museum. A big thank you to the professionals who helped us take it down!

While we're temporarily closed, you can still read more about this painting and see other artworks in our collection by visiting: https://artuk.org/visit/venues/wigan-arts-and-heritage-service-6556

07/10/2026

📣 Attention all visitors!

Two mobiles phones have recently been handed in to our staff at Wigan Museum and Local Studies.

One was found on the pavement outside our building, on Library Street.
The other was found in the men's bathroom upstairs.

If you think one of these might be yours, please:
🚶 visit us
📨 email us at [email protected]
📱or call us at 01942 828128.

We are open Tuesday-Friday: 10am-4pm, and Saturday: 10am-2pm. We will be closed on Wednesday October 14th and Thursday October 15th for staff training.

06/10/2026

You can see it when you visit Wigan Local Studies, but do you know who this painting is of?

Joseph Taylor Winnard was a local surgeon, residing on Standishgate at the time of his death in 1873, but the impact he made on our Borough went beyond his medical practice.

In his will, he left money for the purchase of books for the Wigan Free Library, which at the time, had not yet been built. The first free public library in Wigan was opened five years later. This is where you can now find Wigan Museum and Local Studies!

The oil painting of Joseph Taylor Winnard was commissioned by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Wigan Borough in commemoration of his generosity. It hangs now in Wigan Local Studies, where some of the books purchased with his money still live on the room's original bookshelves.

⏰If you're interesting in viewing the painting in person, Wigan Local Studies is open:
Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm

02/10/2026

📢 Attention all visitors and volunteers!

Please note that Wigan Local Studies will be closed on Wednesday October 14th and Thursday October 15th for staff training.

Thank you all for your understanding.

01/10/2026

Are you interested in the history of local buses? 🚌

You can access copies of old bus time tables in Wigan Local Studies! Our collection includes selected years of Wigan Corporation Transport Department's time tables for 1936-1969.

Take a look at what bus travel on the Omnibus services looked like 90 years ago! For example, did you know that you could travel with your dog for the price of 1 penny?

Drop-in to our Local Studies to find out more about the time tables and fares for different routes around our Borough and its surrounding areas. The reference number for these books is WHE 372 T7, just ask our friendly staff for help!

30/09/2026

Do you ever wonder what student life looked like 100 years ago? 🧐

In Wigan Local Studies, you can find a collection of calendars for the Wigan and District Mining and Technical College. The College used to be housed in what we now know as Wigan Town Hall. While the building opened in 1903, the College dates back to the 1850's, and was one of the oldest Technical Colleges in the UK 😲

Ranging from 1904 to 1971, these volumes feature the names of key staff, prospectus, syllabuses, timetables, and so much more!

For example, a typical Wednesday in the life of first year students undertaking the Advanced Mining course at the College included lessons on mathematics, followed by explosions and rescue work, and finally, electricity.

Why not see what else you can find out? These calendars are shelved under the reference number WLD 741 W6, just ask our friendly staff for help!

Do you have any memories of the College you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments below 😊

29/09/2026

25/09/2026

📰 Did you know that you can view local newspapers in Wigan Local Studies?

If you're interested in news of the past, our microfilm newspaper collection is a great resource!

The newspaper collection can be helpful to:
👥 Support family history research, commonly featuring birth and marriage announcements, as well as obituaries,
🏉 Browse match results of your favourite clubs and junior leagues,
🎭 Find local entertainment and cultural news and events of the time,
👔 Read about local schools and businesses,
😍 and so much more!

The newspapers are available to view on microfilm, and our staff are always on hand to help you use the readers if you're unsure 😊. For a list of all available newspapers, please see the link below:

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Museums-archives/Wigan-Archives/Collections/Newspapers.aspx.

25/09/2026