People's History Museum

The People's History Museum, on Left Bank in Spinningfields, Manchester, England, is the national museum of democracy. Housed in a converted Edwardian hydraulic pumping station with a modern extension, it tells the story of the struggle for votes, workers' rights and equality in Britain, from the radical reform movements of the nineteenth century to modern campaigns. Entry is free, and donations are welcome. The galleries display one of the world's finest collections of trade union and political banners, along with badges, posters, cartoons and personal objects that bring the history to life. A central theme is the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, when a crowd gathering at St Peter's Field in Manchester to demand parliamentary reform was attacked by cavalry, and the museum explains why this event shaped later movements for voting rights. Other displays cover the Chartists, the suffragettes, the co-operative movement, the trade unions and campaigns for equality in the twentieth century. Exhibits are accompanied by interactive elements, and temporary exhibitions examine current political and social topics. The museum has a cafe and shop. A typical visit lasts one to two hours. It is usually open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, but the days change, so check the website before travelling. Weekday mornings are quietest, and school groups visit during term time. The museum is a ten-minute walk from Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop, and 12 minutes from St Peter's Square, and it fits neatly with a visit to the Science and Industry Museum or John Rylands Library. Personal photography is generally allowed, and the banners and the industrial pumping-station interior are popular subjects.