THIS IS a fine idea, a network to show-off small heritage attractions.
Manchester has many large and well-known galleries and museums such as Manchester Art Gallery, IWMN, MOSI, the National Football Museum, The Lowry, Manchester Museum, People's History Museum and so forth but it also has some charmers that can get easily over-looked.
In fact some of these arrow to the heart of the Manchester experience as accurately as the big boys. In one or two cases they probably get there far quicker. If you've not been to them all the attractions listed below are worth dallying within.
The collections including one million objects, ranging from a circumcision chair and Alien Register to fake gold bars and a hoof print of the devil
All that follows is the press release.
A new network of small heritage attractions is being launched in Manchester this month. The network is called ‘HiDDEN’ and comprises eight members: Manchester Jewish Museum, Museum of Transport Greater Manchester, Chetham’s Library, Working Class Movement Library, Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives, Victoria Baths, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and The Pankhurst Centre. The aim of the network is to create a new heritage offer in and around Manchester city centre.
The HiDDEN members are all located in historic and unusual buildings including a former police station, synagogue, bus depot and medieval library. Over 10 exhibitions and 70 events are held in these venues each year. Between them, the HiDDEN members hold almost one million objects, ranging from a circumcision chair and Alien Register to fake gold bars and a hoof print of the devil. Inspired by their buildings and collections, members are now planning a joint programme of HiDDEN exhibitions and events.
Max Dunbar, CEO of Manchester Jewish Museum and Chair of HiDDEN stated: “We’re delighted to be finally launching HiDDEN, bringing together many of Manchester’s ‘hidden gems’. With historic buildings and rare collections, the network will help promote Manchester’s rich and diverse heritage, encouraging more people to explore some of the city’s smaller – and quirkier – attractions”.
For more information see: www.thehidden8.com
HiDDEN members details:
Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester
One of the UK’s largest transport collections displayed inside a historic bus depot
Manchester Jewish Museum
Oldest synagogue in the city, now a museum telling the story of Manchester’s Jewish community
www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com
Chetham’s Library
Oldest public library in the English speaking world
Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archive
Victorian Police Station showcasing the history of policing in Manchester
Working Class Movement Library
Telling stories of ordinary people’s fight for a better world, from industrialisation to the present day
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Home of the famous author whose novels include ‘Cranford’ and ‘North and South’
www.elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk
Victoria Baths
Former Edwardian swimming pools and Turkish Baths open for heritage tours, exhibitions and events
The Pankhurst Centre
Home of Emmeline Pankhurst and birthplace of Britain’s suffragette movement
