Exceptionally rare Peterloo commemorative jug discovered

The People’s History Museum has acquired a unique Peterloo commemorative jug, which will be on display from 1 August 2026 until 3 January 2027. The finding will be of interest to labour historians, and historians of protest and working class history more generally, as objects connected to the Peterloo Massacre are few and far between. On 16 August 1819, yeomanry charged into a crowd of … Continue reading Exceptionally rare Peterloo commemorative jug discovered

On the Line: 100 years of strikes and solidarity (Guided Tours)

The People’s History Museum has announced a series of guided tours of its new exhibition, ‘On the Line: 100 years of strikes and solidarity’, led by curator, Mark Wilson. Marking the centenary of the 1926 strike, the exhibition opened at PHM in Manchester on Saturday 21 March and runs until Monday 2 November 2026, taking visitors on a journey through the hundred years of turbulent … Continue reading On the Line: 100 years of strikes and solidarity (Guided Tours)

1926 General Strike centenary open day report

Academics, independent historians, heritage professionals, trade unionists, activists, and many more gathered in Manchester at the People’s History Museum for a one-day conference marking the centenary of the 1926 General Strike. May 2026 marks the centenary of the 1926 General Strike when, for nine days – from 3 to 12 May 1926 – industrial production across Britain ground to a halt as trade unionists and … Continue reading 1926 General Strike centenary open day report

1926 General Strike Centenary Open Day

The People’s History Museum in Manchester is hosting a special open day to mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike on the 9 May 2026. The event will delve into the strike’s continuing significance and legacy. Academics, activists, trade unionists, and heritage professionals will explore the 1926 General Strike through a range of papers and panels, and highlight rare archival material. The event is … Continue reading 1926 General Strike Centenary Open Day

On the Line: PHM explores the 1926 General Strike

A major new People’s History Museum exhibition titled On the Line explores the General Strike, bringing together powerful images and objects from the past one hundred years and taking visitors to the ‘front line’, shining a light on how communities provided ‘lifelines’ and retracing ‘battle lines’ while asking the question, ‘Where is the line?’ Marking the centenary of the 1926 strike, the exhibition opens at … Continue reading On the Line: PHM explores the 1926 General Strike

Call for papers: General Strike Exploration Day

Date – 9 May 2026Venue – People’s History MuseumAudience – Public audience and those with an interest in the working-class history, the labour movement and Manchester regional history May 2026 will mark the centenary of the General Strike when, for 9 days in May 1926, industrial production in Britain ground to a halt after trade unionists and workers tried unsuccessfully to force the government to … Continue reading Call for papers: General Strike Exploration Day

Solidarity Forever: 40 Years of LGSM

People’s History Museum is hosting an evening event to mark the 40th anniversary of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM); an organisation that played a unique role in the events of the 1984 to 1985 miners’ strike. Taking place on Thursday 27 February, from 6pm to 9pm, as part of a programme of events for LGBT+ History Month, Solidarity Forever: 40 Years of LGSM … Continue reading Solidarity Forever: 40 Years of LGSM

PHM to unveil 2025 banners exhibition

The People’s History Museum 2025 Banner Exhibition opens on Saturday 18 January. Running until 29 December 2025, the exhibition includes banners produced by trade unions, political parties, the co-operative movement, peace campaigns and others over more than a century of campaigning. Among the historic trade union banners represented in this year’s exhibition is that of the National Union of Railwaymen, Hither Green branch banner, made … Continue reading PHM to unveil 2025 banners exhibition

People’s History Museum names Clare Barlow as Director

People’s History Museum has appointed Dr Clare Barlow as its new Director. Dr Barlow joins the Manchester museum from the Foundling Museum, where she was director of programmes and audiences, and has previously worked at the Science Museum, Wellcome Trust, Tate and the National Portrait Gallery. Dr Barlow completed her PhD in 2010, as an Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded collaborative doctoral award between the … Continue reading People’s History Museum names Clare Barlow as Director