Rochdale Pioneers Museum facts for kids
Original brick building and 2012 extension
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| Established | 1931 |
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| Location | 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU |
| Type | Collection (museum), Heritage centre |
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is a special place in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. It's located in the very building where the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened its first shop on December 21, 1844. This museum is known as the starting point for the modern co-operative movement.
Inside, you can see what the original shop looked like. It has old furniture, scales, and items they used to sell. The museum also shows how the co-operative idea helped with important topics. These include women's rights, fighting poverty, improving education, and promoting fair trade. The Co-operative Heritage Trust owns and runs this museum.
Contents
The Museum's Story
The Original Building
The building at 31 Toad Lane was first a warehouse in the 1700s. It was on a busy street that led to the town center. In 1844, the Co-operative Society rented the ground floor. The floors above were used by a Methodist society.
They made a simple counter using a plank on barrels. That's how the shop began! By 1849, the Co-op rented the whole building. They added a library, a meeting room, and even a shoe shop. In the 1860s, they rented more buildings. In 1867, the society moved to a new, bigger place. The old building then became a pet shop.
How the Museum Started
The Rochdale Pioneers quickly became famous. Their co-operative idea spread across the country and even worldwide. Because of this, the Co-operative Union bought the building at 31 Toad Lane in 1925. Their goal was to create a museum there. They wanted to celebrate the birthplace of the co-operative movement. The museum first opened its doors in 1931.
In the 1970s, the museum had to close for a few years. There were problems with the building's structure. But it was fixed and restored. Rochdale Council also improved the street outside. It had been a dead-end street since the 1960s.
The area was updated with cobbled streets. They added 19th-century gas lamps and an old Victorian post-box. The museum officially reopened in 1981. Princess Alexandra attended the special ceremony.
In 2000, the Co-operative College took over running the museum. It became a recognized museum in 2001. In 2010, it received a large grant of £1.3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. After a £2.3 million renovation, it reopened in 2012. The revamp added new rooms and improved the displays.
What You'll See at the Museum
The museum helps you understand the co-operative movement. It shows how it started in Rochdale. You'll learn about the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society. You'll also see how the co-operative idea grew and changed society. The museum also highlights important people. These are the individuals who made a big difference to the movement.
The main things you can explore at the museum are:
- How the early co-operative movement grew.
- The Rochdale Principles, which are the rules for co-ops.
- Stories of inspiring co-operators.
- The history of shops and selling things.
- How the movement expanded and its social impact in the 1900s.
- How co-operation works around the world.
More to Explore
- Listed buildings in Rochdale
- The Rochdale Pioneers (a film from 2012)
- National Co-operative Archive
- History of the Co-operative Movement
