People's History Museum

The People's History Museum occupies a former pumping station built in 1912 that once pushed water to surrounding buildings. The brick building at Bridge Street and Water Street holds collections about worker movements and unions from across Britain.

The building served as a hydraulic pumping station when it opened in 1912 and continued operating until the 1980s. The museum itself began in London in 1975 and relocated to Manchester in 2001, taking its current name and focusing on British labor history.

The museum displays Britain's worker movements through everyday objects and symbols used by trade union members. Visitors see badges, banners, and posters that tell how ordinary people fought for their rights.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and welcomes visitors throughout the day. Entry is free to explore the displays, and restrooms are located on the ground floor near the entrance area.

The archive holds documents from Chartist activists and records of the famous miners' strike from 1984 to 1985. These materials reveal personal stories of people who took part in some of Britain's most important labor struggles.

Location: Manchester

Architects: Henry Price

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD

Opening Hours: Holidays,Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00

Phone: +441618389190

Website: http://phm.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.48129,-2.25334

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05