A detailed look at the reasons for the election riots in Wigan in May 1831, the backgrounds of the characters involved and the consequences for the perpetrators of the ensuing violence.
Read MoreAfter the disastrous fire in 2022 Andy Lomax investigated the little known history of the 17th century building
Read MoreEver wondered how Tipping Street and The Tipping's Arms got there names. Read the interesting article from locallife by Nicola Gray with research undertaken by the Society.
Read MoreSarah Hartley, the young Wigan girl who had spent her adolescent years at Wigan Union Workhouse and Edgworth Children’s Home that left an enduring legacy in Canada that is celebrated to this day.
Read MoreA chance meeting with a Wirral family leads to the significance of a chair, the Price of Wales pub in Scholes, the Union Street Burial Society and recollections of burials in the 1950's
Read MoreArticle by Derek Wistanley celebrating the 100 years since the town was awarded its "ancient and loyal" Coat of Arms, replacing the old Common Seal.
Read MoreHistory of the O&G Rushton business, the brothers and their Building.
Read MoreThomas Skelton also known as "The Muncaster Fool" his time at Haigh Hall, the Bradshaigh portrait and his Will.
Read MoreHistory from WW2 to the present, and the reasons for the selection of the site as a munitions factory.
Read MoreThis article by Graham Taylor explains the history of Poor Law, the formation of the Wigan Poor Law Union, the building of the new Workhouse in Frog Lane, the conditions inside and the regime followed by its inmates.
Read MoreAn interesting article, by Julie Foster on the early days of the Wigan Infirmary and the contribution of these nurses and the lasting recognition they received.
Read MoreA 1942 letter from James Parkinson to his sons on reaching 70 years of age, and recalls the hardships and experiences of growing up in Victorian Wigan.
Read MoreThe Wigan Archives Service has well over 500,000 documents, photographs, maps and historic books in our collections.
Read MoreAn exceptional collection of photos, history and memories of Wigan
Read MoreFind graves at Wigan, Gidlow, Hindley, Ince and Westwood Cemeteries, with kind permission of wiganworld
Read MoreWigan Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) - All the Listed Buildings within Wigan Council area, including non-listed buildings that are of historical and architectural interest.
Read MoreWe are committed to researching local history and recording local people’s memories for the future. Also, with the local community, taking part in local heritage events, thus furthering education and access to local history.
Read MoreFilms, videos and presentations on Wigan from 1900 to the present day. Enjoy!
Read MoreAlthough Derek has lived in Illinois, USA, for 40 years, he returns to Wigan nearly every year and has written extensively on local history.Thanks to Derek we are pleased to provide access to his materials on the local history of Wigan and Winstanley.
Read MoreSome cameo pieces by one of our members - Images courtesy of Wigan Archives
Read MoreRecollections and memories of growing up in Wigan in the 1950s & 1960s.
Read MoreThis page by Graham Taylor, local military historian, is dedicated to telling the stories of local soldiers, their families and communities in the Great War of 1914-1918 and before.
Read MoreStories and presentations from Jim who is a retired civil servant with an interest in local and family history, as well as archaeology.
Read MoreCampaign to overcome the complete and wholesale demolition of the The Galleries complex,
Learn MoreIdentify, Protect & Relocate the Assets and Artefacts
Learn MoreProject to restore the Gateway and Lodges. Grade 2* Listed Building "At-Risk"
Learn MoreThe project aim is to repair and relocate the stonework, recovered, from the old Town Hall, King St, to a prominent position within the Town Centre.
Learn MoreDiscovering and locating oil paintings of Margaret Eleanor and Amelia Gidlow originally displayed in the Board Room of Wigan Infirmary. There is also a stained galss window dedicated to the sisters.
Learn MoreWigan Local History & Heritage Society are very proud to be invited to contribute to the King Street Heritage Zone project.
Read MoreLinks to the Heritage Action Zone website to record your comments and views.
Read MoreThe Heritage Action Zone covers the area around King Street. It is packed with important historical buildings, there are already 10 listed buildings in the zone and at least another 20 that are historically important.
Read MoreThe Society believes it is important to identify the "Lost Buildings" of the Street to evoke the memories and the contribution of these buildings to the rich history and heritage of Wigan.
Read MoreThe project includes the renovation of this historic building
Read MorePhoto and drone presentation of King Street buildings welcoming the forthcoming improvements by Simon Radcliffe and Ian Tranter
Read MoreUpcoming Events & Meetings
Our Calendar of upcoming events and meetings
Our venue and meeting dates:
Wigan Local History and Heritage Society meets on the second Monday of each month, with a local history themed presentation starting at 7.15pm in The Function Room at Real Crafty, Wigan https://www.
The doors open at 12 noon, and the bar is open serving drinks plus hot and cold beverages, so come along early and have a chat.
Free parking on street is available after 6pm.
This room is on the ground floor and is fully accessible to all.
However, toilets are not fitted with grab rails so cannot be classed as disabled toilets for that reason.
A warm welcome is given to members old and new, and visitors are also welcome.
Everyone is welcome to join us and learn about the rich history and heritage of Wigan.
The membership fee is £10 per year, payable in September, reduced to £5 for new members who join after February.
01942 200364
Our Constitution
Recent Minutes
2020 May - No meeting due to Covid 19 lockdown
2020 April - No meeting due to Covid 19 lockdown
2019 December - No meeting - Xmas Party
2019 September (2019 AGM - Minutes to be agreed at next AGM)
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