An interesting article by Malcolm Ryding on the life of Thomas Wall and family, founder of the Wigan Observer in 1853.
Read MoreHundreds of years before Winstanley Hall was built the Winstanley family lived in a moated homestead. Explore the extensive evidence for this produced by Derek Winstanley, also evidence of another Winstanley moated homestead.
Read MoreReminiscences of Rylands Sidings at Whitley from sixty years ago, the association with a cotton magnate and their place in the war time history and industrial heritage of Wigan.
Read MoreAn in depth look at the lives of the families known to have lived at Springfield Hall between 1813 and its demolition in 1937. It is one of the many halls in the Wigan area that have been lost and have now disappeared into history.
Read MoreA 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 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 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.
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 MoreGraham Taylor specialises in military history, telling the stories of local regiments, the soldiers that served in them, and of their families and communities from the early 19th century to modern day. Also topics of local interest including heritage buildings, establishments and individuals.
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 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 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 MoreDedicated to the people who built, lived, worked and worshipped in the street since it was established in the 1780's
Read MoreThe project includes the renovation of this historic building
Read MoreA snapshot of the Street developed from the 1849 Ordnance Survey map.
Read MorePhoto and drone presentation of King Street buildings welcoming the forthcoming improvements by Simon Radcliffe and Ian Tranter
Read MoreLinks to the Heritage Action Zone website to record your comments and views.
Read MoreTake a look here to see what we have planned.
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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