History of the Museum
Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery is an independent organization and a registered charity. The museum is reliant for funding on entrance charges, donations, funds raised by the Friends, grants and support from Saddleworth Parish Council.
The museum was started by volunteers who wanted to preserve for future the relics of an already changing society.
It opened in 1962 and is situated in one of the out buildings of the 19th century Victoria Mill.
The museum buildings are the only part of the mill to survive, the rest of the mill occupied the car park to the exterior of the museum.
In 1980 the Museum was extended, thanks to a well supported public appeal, and an Art Gallery was added for exhibitions, which also serves as a community resource for various local events including lectures, children’s events, and charity fundraising.
Apart from the Museum and Gallery we run a museum shop and provide a Tourist Information Service run by Saddleworth Parish Council.