All the four galleries, over two floors, are well lit with additional spotlighting dedicated to highlighting specific display points and an extensive use of clear story boards. Whilst a few items may have some glass, or rail protection, the visitor can still get close enough to see the detail. In other areas, such as the walk-in Victorian parlour, it is possible for the visitor to walk into the space and touch some of the items. New, and old, technologies have been used within many of the visitor interactives. 

Before the visitor starts the tour of the galleries, they may like to ask for the family trail or one of our activity bags suitable for children. For the family trail pick up your clue and question sheet from reception and find out which figures we have “hidden” around the galleries.

We have gentle sloping ramps where they are needed and:-

• A dedicated wheelchair lift to all floors with all handles and controls at a convenient height
• A dedicated emergency exit procedure for wheelchair users on all floors
• A dedicated lavatory facility for wheelchair users

We hope you enjoy your visit and would welcome the opportunity to help you.

There are also activity areas where the young can dress up, draw and those, together with the interactives, walk-in areas where they can touch objects and discovery drawers they can open, helps children engage with the museum in an additional way. We hope they enjoy the experience and they make a return visit with you!

The geology section and some archaeological finds in Saddleworth are currently on your left as you enter gallery one. We have some interesting  collections in the 4 & 5-drawer discovery cabinets here. Learn about the Castleshaw fort and forlet. The remains of the fort (c AD 69 and replaced by the fortlet c 105) are located on Castle Hill on the eastern side of nearby Castleshaw.

From our transport collections kindly donated by Saddleworth residents.

TOP: in the background an example of one of the earler velocipedes. The “boneshaker” manufactured c 1860.

BOTTOM: an example of one of the first bicycles. The High Wheeler commonly known as the “penny farthing” manufactured c 1870.

From our transport collections kindly donated by Saddleworth residents.

Triumph Engineering Co Ltd, a British motorcycle manufacturing company, originally had works in Coventry, Munch Park Street and in 1902 they began producing Triumph motorcycles. The model in the foreground originates in the 1920’s.

This clogger’s bench and set of shoe lasts came from one of the last cloggers in Saddleworth. This collection item in gallery one is accompanied by a photograph of “George” at work in the shop c 1960.

Some of the past occupations and manufacturing history in Saddleworth with one of our interactives, “cogs” in the foreground. There are other interactives in this gallery.

From our transport collections kindly donated by Saddleworth residents.

The Austin 7 was an economy car that was produced from 1922 until 1939 in the United Kingdom by Austin. It was known as the “Baby Austin” and nicknamed “Chummy”.

There are also records, displays and interactives of the local “people” shaped by Saddleworth.
One of these was Ann “Annie” Kenney (1879 -1953) who was an English working-class suffragette and socialist feminist. Ann was born in Springhead, Oldham, originally worked in a local cotton mill and was a local and national activist. In 2018 a statue, funded by public subscription, was unveiled close to the site of the former Oldham Town Hall.

Photo of Annie c 1905

Buildings

TOP: Leaded lights from houses in Greenfield, painted stained glass from St. Chads and tools of the trade going back to c 1845

BOTTOM: We run schools programmes at the museum. One of our schools groups looking at and using the display to record information for their workshop.

This is a view from above of our scaled replica Rushcart which occupies pride of place in our stunning glass atrium. The revived Rushcart festival now takes place in Saddleworth on the 2nd weekend following 12th August. The Rushcart ceremony, derives from Rogationtide. Parishioners would process around the parish once a year, bearing rushes to replace the worn-out rushes on the floor of the local church.

Our scaled replica Rushcart of the one used by the Morris Men in 2012 with the museum’s 50th anniversary recognised on the banner used. This and the sash embroidery for the Morris Man on top were all beautifully replicated by the museum’s “Friends” and volunteers.

By the middle of the 1800’s almost everyone in Saddleworth worked in the textile industry. It was a time of great innovation and a local man, James Hollingworth, patented a loom capabable of producing cloth with more decorative patterns. Between 1861 and 1910 over 25,000 Dobcross looms had been produced in Diggle, Saddleworth, used locally, nationally and exported all over the world.

The “putting you in the picture” (an opportunity for the children to dress up and pose for a photograph) in gallery two is naturally Morris dancer themed.

Gallery two also has some truly breath-taking collections of costume made and worn at the time. Our trained and experienced volunteers regularly update these displays so there is usually something “new to view”.

One our interactives it would be easy to miss would be “weave away” which is below the window opposite the costume display in gallery two.

AWAITING NEW IMAGE

After the tour of gallery two, on the ground floor, wheelchair users will need to return to our reception area to use our specially designed lift before they can move to gallery three, on the first floor. This lift may also be used to gain access to, and from, the community / art gallery on the mezzanine floor.

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At the top of the steps leading you to gallery three we have a viewing window to Pots and Pans and a view into our atrium above the Rushcart in the gallery below. We have some seating here so you can rest and enjoy the “picture show” on the wall opposite. Another collection item here is the “Dey Time Register” c 1910, one of the first “clocking in machines”.

One major donated collection item we have was from the friends and family of one of Saddleworth’s public works contacters, George Dew (1908 – 1979). The clock, originally at St Mary’s Church Greenfield, has been lovingly restored by a combination of one expert and our skilled volunteers. The clock, with encouragement,  still keeps good time on the outside of the museum,  and our volunteers have encased the mechanism in glass for you to enjoy.

In gallery three we have this “warp and weft” interactive near our hand loom and, on the left past the Victorian parlour, an activity table for children where we invite them to try the current craft activity. On the right of this table we are still developing our electronic archive and collections database to view. Unfortunately this has been “abused” and “mis-used” by members of the visiting public so we currently use this space for the one-hour bookable family research sessions.

The origins of the textile industry in Saddleworth began in local cottages, farms and hamlets using the local fulling mill (the museum has a seperate section devoted to fulling) then hand combs, spinning wheels and handlooms. This particular example came from Slackcote Mill, Delph.  In later life this handloom must have been adapted to take the “flying shuttle” which was invented by John Kay in 1733 to speed up the weaving of cloth.

Our volunteers have constructed an open plan single room cottage with an upper bunk, in which to display some of our collections such as as a dresser (not illustrated) , the lant jar and the spinning wheel illustrated here. We have also created a mock up of the outside “lavvy” which has a warning sign which everyone ignores of course. Please visit us, if only so you experience this surprise!

By the mid 1800’s most of the textile manufacturing was being done by machines and had moved from hamlets to the factory floor. Those who have read “our story” page on this website will know that the museum is housed in part of a mill which was built in 1862 so qualifies to be part of this story. Our volunteers have created a walk in Victorian kitchen and parlour to house some of our collections which, alongside our storyboards, we hope helps to show how this “industrial revolution” affected peoples lives at home.

TOP: Voting. Detail from our Peterloo storyboard. In 1819 a large group of people set off from Saddleworth to join many others in Manchester for a peaceful protest to demand votes for ordinary people. 3 Saddleworth people died in the ensuing “massacre”.

BOTTOM: Education. The harmonium featured here was used at the Sunday school in Kiln Green church, Diggle. The earliest schools for ordinary parishioners, and their children, in Saddleworth were Methodist or Anglican.

This display is maintained by members of Lord Rhodes’ family. Historically there have been many close links between our founder Roger Tanner, Saddleworth, Saddleworth Museum and Hervey Rhodes. The museum also has a commemorative stone on the outside wall to the left of the entrance. From humble origins (born in Greenfield as 1 of 6), in 1965 he became Lord Rhodes of Saddleworth. Please visit us and read about his amazing life and how much he contributed to Saddleworth.

One of our latest collection acquisitions from a Saddleworth donor. The Pelham Puppets company was started in 1947 by Bob Pelham. Over 40 years the multitude of designs became some of Britain’s most cherished and collectable toys. Bob won the right to produce Disney puppets in 1953 and went on to include characters from the Magic Roundabout, the Muppets, Peanuts and the Wombles.

Brass bands are in the area’s DNA and this display pays homage to that heritage. Saddleworth has along tradition of Whit Friday brass band contests with sometimes more than 100 groups competing. In 2019 the Uppermill Band were crowned National Third Section Champions. Other notables just within a  2.5 mile radius of the museum are Boarshurst, Champion Brass, Delph, Diggle and Dobcross band clubs

Sometimes one of the “secret” hiding places for one of our Family Trails figures our display of vintage toys from our collections are a real “trip down memory lane” for some. Vintage classic books such as PC49 and the Girl’s Crystal Annual, a clockwork railway train, an early wooden jigsaw, early toy tea set complete with picnic hamper, Micky Mouse xylophone, Ludo, dominoes, skipping rope and marbles are just a few examples. Not a power cord or battery in sight!

This could be the last opportunity for the children to dress up and pose for a photograph, perhaps in front of  the WW1 and WW2 commerative display nearby? This “putting you in the picture” has soldier and nurse costumes. Please post your photo and let Facebook know you were here. Thank you.

TOP: Wedding Dress. Awaiting text.

BOTTOM: Drapery & Haberdashery. Awaiting text.

TOP: the 1940’s. Awaiting text.

BOTTOM: the 1960’s. Awaiting text.

AWAITING NEW IMAGE

After the tour of gallery four, on the first floor, wheelchair users will need to return to gallery three to use our specially designed lift before they can move back to the ground floor. This lift may also be used to gain access to, and from, the community / art gallery on the mezzanine floor.