Saddleworth Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1962 |
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| Location | Uppermill, Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, England |
| Founder | Roger Tanner |
The Saddleworth Museum is a fascinating local history museum located in the village of Uppermill, in Greater Manchester, England. It's a special place that tells the story of the area's past. The museum is housed inside what's left of the Victoria Mill, a factory building from the 1800s. Its collections show what life was like in Saddleworth long ago.
How the Museum Began
In 1959, a man named Roger Tanner bought the old and empty Victoria Mill. He had a great idea to turn it into a museum to protect Saddleworth's history. With the help of many volunteers, the last remaining building of the mill was repaired and transformed.
The Saddleworth Museum officially opened in 1962. Over the next 20 years, the museum grew. It collected more historical items and created new exhibits. It also became an official charity, which means it works to benefit the community. A team of people, called a board of trustees, was created to help guide the museum's work.
In 1980, the museum asked the public for help to raise money. The campaign was a big success! This allowed the museum to get bigger and add a community gallery. This new space is used for art exhibitions and other local events.
A Big Makeover for the Museum
By 2010, the museum was facing some problems. The building was old and expensive to keep up, and there was less money from the government to help. To solve this, the museum opened its own visitor information center and started a fundraising campaign to ask for donations.
A huge boost came in 2014 when the museum received a large grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. This money paid for a major makeover. The project improved both the outside and inside of the building. A modern reception area was built, and the galleries were updated with high-tech and interactive displays. The museum also added special rooms for children's learning activities.
The Museum Today
Like many places, the museum had to close on 20 March 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was able to welcome visitors again on 22 May 2021.
When it reopened, the museum also launched a new website and became more active on social media. This helps the museum connect with people online. Now, people can take virtual tours, buy things from the museum shop, and get tickets from home.
The museum relies on a team of dedicated volunteers to help with its daily operations. A group called the "Friends of the Saddleworth Museum and Gallery" also helps by organizing events to raise money. The museum earns money from ticket sales, its shop, and educational programs, but it also depends on the generosity of public donations to keep sharing the history of Saddleworth.
