The People’s History Museum on Left Bank in Manchester traces the development of democracy in Britain through the lives and campaigns of working people. Its galleries cover workers’ rights, trade unions, women’s suffrage, LGBTQ+ rights and other struggles for equality, using banners, posters, photographs and personal objects. Look for the Manchester suffragette banner and the 1984 Equal Pay Plate. Interactive displays and activities for children help bring the collections to life. Entry is free, and donations support the museum’s work.
A museum about working people
The People’s History Museum tells the story of democracy in Britain through the lives of the people who worked, organised and campaigned for change. Its focus includes daily life at home, at work and during leisure over roughly two centuries. Instead of centring political history on monarchs or wealthy families, the galleries follow workers, voters, reformers and campaigners.
The museum is in a former hydraulic pumping station on Left Bank in Spinningfields. The industrial building provides a setting for collections about labour, political organising and the changing rights of ordinary people.
Banners, posters and campaign objects
The collection brings together political material and objects from campaigns for social and democratic change. Trade union banners are a major part of the museum’s holdings, alongside political posters, cartoons, photographs, badges and personal objects. These materials show how movements communicated their ideas and built support.
Look for the Manchester suffragette banner associated with Emmeline Pankhurst and the Equal Pay Plate commemorating the 1984 equal pay campaign. Other displays connect past campaigns with more recent causes, including a placard from the 2018 Youth Climate Strike. Exhibitions change, so the objects on view can vary.
From Peterloo to equal rights
The galleries explore campaigns for the vote, workers’ rights, women’s equality and fair pay, as well as trade union and cooperative movements. Manchester’s place in this history comes through in displays about local organising and political action.
One important event covered is the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. At a reform meeting in St Peter’s Field, soldiers attacked a crowd gathered to demand political representation. The museum places Peterloo within a longer account of protest and the struggle for democratic rights.
The story continues into campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights, anti-racism and other forms of equality. Together, the displays trace how people have organised collectively and how the causes they championed have changed over time.
Interactive displays and family activities
The museum uses hands-on elements to make complex political history accessible to different ages. Children can take part in interactive activities, and some displays include opportunities to dress up or play. The galleries present information gradually, so there is no need to rush through every panel in one visit.
Family events and temporary exhibitions add other ways to explore the collection. Banner Bingo has been run during Easter holidays, inviting children to spot images in the banners and collect a card at the information desk. Activities can change, so check what is scheduled for your visit.
Events and planning your visit
Entry is free, and donation points are available if you would like to contribute to the museum’s work. The museum is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays. Its address is Left Bank, Manchester, M3 3ER.
Radical Lates takes place on the second Thursday of each month and gives visitors an evening option. Events may include live performances. Check the museum’s current programme before travelling if a particular exhibition or event is the main reason for your visit.
FAQ
Is entry to the People’s History Museum free?
Yes. Entry is free, and visitors can leave a donation to support the museum.
What can you see at the People’s History Museum?
The galleries explore democracy, working people, trade unions, women’s suffrage and campaigns for equality. Collections include banners, posters, photographs and campaign objects.
How long do you need at the People’s History Museum?
Plan for around two to three hours to explore the galleries and take in the displays at a comfortable pace.
Is the People’s History Museum suitable for children?
Yes. The museum has interactive displays and activities for children, with family events offered at certain times.
When is Radical Lates at the People’s History Museum?
Radical Lates is held on the second Thursday of each month. Check the current programme for details of that evening’s events.
