Heritage Open Day at the Museum of Wigan Life is back! Let our curators guide you through our wonderful building and permanent displays.

The Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan Local Studies Library offer a fantastic opportunity for learning and discovery. The museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library, and it was the town’s first public building with electric lighting. Opened in 1878, it is an Alfred Waterhouse designed building who also designed the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall. In 1936 George Orwell researched his book ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’ in the reference library upstairs.

Our curators will guide you through the building and exhibitions that will include getting up close and personal with ancient coffins, a gold coffin mask from the same period as Tutankhamun, as well grave goods and shabtis in our Ancient Egypt display. This amazing collection covers over 3000 years of Egyptian history. You will also explore Roman Wigan, Civil War and Wigan’s early trade and industry displays.