Whitworth Heritage Museum and the Whitworth Historical Society

"The mines, the moors, the wars and the chores - the lives of ordinary Lancashire folk seen through the objects, tools and clothes of their everyday existence."

Whitworth Historical Society is based in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire, and is run by a group of local enthusiasts. The Society was formed in 1973 and moved to premises on North Street, opposite the Sportsman Public House, in 1985. The museum relies on its volunteers for day to day running costs and any renovations. Click here for the Whitworth Historical Society website and here for a location map.

The display rooms have masses of exhibits, mainly donated by local people. In addition they have an extensive library of documents relating to Whitworth, and a large collection of photographs from the past - sample photographs below. A visit to the museum gives an insight into the history of life in the Rossendale Valley:- its homes, churches, schools, transport and industry.

'In the shadow of Brown Wardle' A child's view of life in Whitworth in the 1930s and 1940s - written by site visitor Beryl Howarth.

Click on any of the photographs for an enlarged view

Photograph from the museum's extensive collection
Whitworth is a former Lancashire cottton spinning town
Photograph taken on Market Street - Shawforth

Facit
Railway Station

Cotton mill workers at Brookside MIll (1910)

Shawforth
tram

Opening times are on Tuesdays from 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. and Saturdays 2 - 4 p.m. Other opening times by arrangement.

The Society would appreciate old photographs of Whitworth's churches and chapels, street scenes, former public houses, school groups and group outings etc. Treasured photographs will be copied and returned if required. (See the Whitworth Historical Society contact page.)

An interesting article sent in by a website visitor on 18th December 2012

| More black & white images |

| Whitworth main page | | Whitworth of Yesteryear - Water colours by Brian Clegg |

| Healey Dell, Brown Wardle and Cowm Reservoir in winter |

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