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 Museum of Wigan Life and Archives: Wigan & Leigh teams.
Exhibitions
Archives: Wigan & 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 & 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 & Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No
Forward, Together Wigan Borough 50th Anniversary Exhibition
Celebrating people, places and communities that have shaped the character of our borough over the past 50 years. Curated with Wigan & Leigh college students.
- When? Thursday - Friday, 10am - 4pm, Saturday, 10am - 2pm
- Where? Archives: Wigan & Leigh
- What is the cost? Free event
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in.
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.
Upcoming events May - August 2024
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 & Leigh
- What is the cost? Free event
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in.
Family Creative Lab
The Archives’ Family Creative Labs offer a space to learn and get making as a family, with creative activities guided along by the Archives’ team and inspired by local history. A unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at the archives and interact with original records from our collection!
Suitable for families with children aged 5+.
Send-Friendly Family Creative Lab
Come join us for a fun-filled day at the archives! This event is specially designed for families with members who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Get ready for a day of exploration, learning, and discovery as we delve into the fascinating world of history and heritage.
‘What’s in Store’ Showcasing the Extraordinary to the Everday
Our interactive and family friendly exhibition is crammed with amazing artefacts from the museum collections - from costume to fine art and machinery. Explore our treasures from the familiar to the mysterious including the revamped Roman and Egyptian displays.
- When? From Saturday May 18th
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- Opening times? Tuesday-Friday 10.00am-4.00pm, Saturday 10.00am-2.00pm
‘What’s in Store’ crafty Saturdays
Come and be inspired by our brand-new family-friendly exhibition. Be a ‘What’s in Store’ detective and design your own museum trail, get hands-on with our fun interactives, follow our object trails, colour-in, build with Lego, and more!
- When? Every Saturday, 10.00am-2pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No. Drop in
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? Monday 3rd June and then every other Monday 1.00pm-3.00pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No. Drop in
Museum Minis
Calling all parents and carers with little ones! Join us at the Museum of Wigan Life for a fun and relaxed session full of engaging storytelling, songs and craft activities.
- When? Every Wednesday starting from 5th June 10.30am-11.45am
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £1.50 per child and includes drinks for child and parent/carer
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite
Golborne - Our Town
Join us at Golborne’s library and discover the rich history of Golborne at our Archives: Wigan & Leigh pop-up stall.
- When? 8th June, 10am - 1pm
- Where? Golborne’s library
- What is the cost? Free event
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in.
How to care for your vinyl records
Do you have a treasured record collection? Ever wondered how to care for it? Join us for a look at how to store, clean, and look after of your cherished vinyl.
- When? Wednesday 12th June, 12.00-12.45pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.
Walking Tour of Atherton Cemetery
Join us on a guided tour of Atherton Cemetery to discover more about the fascinating lives of former residents of the town.
A Lindsay’s Story – The Man Called Jeremiah with Ripton Lyndsay
Ripton Lindsay is the great x4 grandchild of Alexander Lindsay (6th Earl of Balcarres) and great x4 grandnephew of Jeremiah. This talk will give an in-depth look as to why the 6th Earl became a slave owner and how he became one of the most powerful and successful slave and plantation owners in Jamaica. The story that history never told.
- When? Saturday 15th June, 1.00-3.30pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £5 per person
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite
Maker’s Session - Clay Casting Workshop
Join Mixed Media artist Janet Howkins from Step in the Picture for a plaster casting experience.
- When? Saturday 29th June, 10.00am-1.30pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £15.00 per person
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite
‘What’s in Store’ exhibition tour
Fancy something exciting to do during your lunch break? Then look no further! Join our curators for our bi-monthly ‘What’s in Store’ exhibition tours.
- When? Wednesday 3rd July 12.00-12.45pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite
Wigan’s Wonderful Women Weavers with Yvonne Eckersley
Local historian Yvonne Eckersley looks back and explains why Wigan’s weavers formed their own trades union, how this union was established, and how it developed into an organisation of significance beyond supporting its members. Yvonne will also look at their role in the Women’s Suffrage Movement, Municipal and Parliamentary politics, and more.
- When? Thursday 11th July, 12.00-1.00pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £3.50
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite
Summer Holiday fun
Schools out! Come and get hands-on with our family-friendly exhibition, ‘What’s in Store’ design your own museum trail, get hands-on with our interactives, colour, build with Lego, and more!
- When? Tuesday 23rd July – Saturday 31st August
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No. Drop in.
Spiderman (and other superheroes) Day
Dress up as your favourite superhero and join us for themed activities, crafts, trails, face painting, and more!
- When? Thursday 1st August, 12.00-2.00pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.
Leather Making Talk
Taking inspiration from the Museum of Wigan Life new exhibition ‘What’s in Store’, join Pipa from The Wolf Workshop to take a deep dive into the history of leather making.
- When? Saturday 3rd August,12.00-1.00pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £3.00
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.
Permanent exhibition and building tour
Fancy something exciting to do during your lunch break? Then look no further! Join our curators for our bi-monthly permanent exhibition and building tour.
- When? Wednesday 7th August, 12.00-12.45pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.
Leigh In The 40s and 50s: War Then Austerity Talk by Michael Caine
Join Michael Caine as he takes us through Leigh as it was during the 1940s and 1950s, and learn about the impact of the Second World War on Leigh and its people.
- When? Wednesday 14th August, 2pm and Saturday 17th August, 11am
- Where? Archives: Wigan & Leigh
- What is the cost? £2
- Do I need to book? Booking essential. Book your place online (external link).
How to care for your silverware
Do you have a treasured silver collection? Ever wondered how to care for it? Join us for a look at how to store, clean, and look after of your cherished silverware.
- When? Wednesday 14th August, 12.00-12.45pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.
Ancient Egypt activities
Make an Ancient Egyptian mask and a name cartouche for your room, solve our magical trail, have your face painted, and more! We would love to see your fancy dress!
- When? Thursday 15th August, 12.00-2.00pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.
‘What’s in Store’ end of summer craft activities
Be inspired by the colourful circus themed objects on display and design your own circus bingo game, make a clown or animal mask, have your face painted, and more!
- When? Thursday 29th August, 12.00-2.00pm
- Where? Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? Yes. Book via Eventbrite.