Wigan and Leigh Archives Online

Museum Collections

The Museum of Wigan Life is home to the Wigan Borough's collection of Museum objects and artefacts.

The museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library and first public building with electric lighting. Alfred Waterhouse designed the building, which opened in 1878. He 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 (now Family History and Local Studies) upstairs.

The collection contains thousands of objects of historical importance to the Wigan Borough, including the objects shown in this collection.