Pankhurst Centre Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Pankhurst Centre
The Pankhurst Centre
General information
Architectural style	Edwardian
Address	60–62 Nelson Street, Manchester, England
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: The Pankhurst Centre
Designated:	9 June 1974
Reference #:	1197896

The Pankhurst Centre is a very important place in Manchester, England. It's made up of two old Victorian houses at 60–62 Nelson Street. One of these houses, No. 62, was once the home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Sylvia, Christabel, and Adela. This house is famous because it's where the suffragette movement began in 1903. The suffragettes were brave women who fought for women's right to vote.

The Centre's Story
What You'll Find at the Centre
The Pankhurst Centre Garden
Gallery
See also

The Centre's Story

Number 62 Nelson Street became Emmeline Pankhurst's home after her husband, Richard Pankhurst, passed away in 1898. It was here that she started the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903. The WSPU was a group that worked hard to get women the right to vote.

On June 9, 1974, the building was recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very special and important historical building that needs to be protected. In 1978, there was a plan to knock down the building. However, many people protested to save it. They wanted it to become a museum and a place dedicated to helping women.

The "parlour" (a living room) was the first part of the Pankhurst Centre to be fixed up. It became the main attraction when the centre officially opened on October 10, 1987. Important people like Barbara Castle and Helen Pankhurst (Emmeline's great-granddaughter) were there for the opening.

In 2014, the centre joined with Manchester Women's Aid. This partnership helped them offer more services to women in need.

A big change happened in 1918 with the Representation of the People Act 1918. This law allowed all men aged 21 and over to vote. It also gave women aged 30 and over the right to vote, but only if they owned property. In 2018, which was 100 years after this law, people called for more money to make the Pankhurst Centre a major museum. They wanted it to tell the full story of women's fight for voting rights and other women's rights.

Sadly, the Pankhurst Centre was broken into on October 1, 2019. But many people donated money to help fix the damage. For example, The Co-operative Group gave £10,000.

After a big renovation project in 2020, the centre reopened on August 29, 2021. The two galleries and the parlour were all updated.

What You'll Find at the Centre

Today, the Pankhurst Centre is a special place just for women. It's a safe and welcoming environment where women can learn, work on projects, and spend time together.

Part of the centre is a museum called The Pankhurst Parlour. This museum is a tribute to the suffragette movement. It's decorated with furniture from the Edwardian period, making it look like Emmeline Pankhurst's home. It's the only museum dedicated to sharing the story of women's fight for the right to vote.

The Pankhurst Centre is run by amazing volunteers. It doesn't get money from the government, so it depends completely on donations to keep going.

The Pankhurst Centre Garden

In September 2018, a brand new garden was opened at the Pankhurst Centre. Janet Leigh, a garden designer from Stockport, created it. The garden celebrates 100 years since women first got the right to vote. It also honors the hard work of the suffragettes.

More than 500 people helped fund the garden by donating over £24,000 in 2017. The garden is also a peaceful place for the women and children staying at Manchester Women's Aid to relax.