Blogs & News

: FREE TALK: The Travels of Cranford

A signed copy of Cranford, once gifted by Elizabeth Gaskell to a friend, has been returned to her Manchester home after over 110 years. Purchased by the Gaskell Society, this signed first edition, is now on display in the author’s House, alongside the fascinating story of the book's four owners. The book's two bookplates and inscriptions, including a short note from Elizabeth’s daughter Meta in 1908, shows the book's journey. From Eliza Shuttleworth, whose husband was one of

: Book Launch and Signing: 50 Gems of Lancashire

Join author Robert Nicholls for the launch of 50 Gems of Lancashire: The History & Heritage of the Most Iconic Places (Amberley Publishing). Robert, who is also one of our House volunteers, will give a short introduction to the book, which is fully illustrated with stunning colour photographs of the fabulous places that make Lancashire great. Come along to this free event (included in admission) to find out more about the well-loved - and lesser known - treasures of Lancashire,

: Creative Writing Workshop: Experimental Writing

Join us for a writing workshop on experimental writing, where you'll examine a selection of experimental texts before having a go at writing your own piece of work. You'll find inspiration in the words and household objects on display in the House, and use these as the basis of a piece of exciting and innovative text. This workshop is one of a series of five Wednesday evening workshops inspired by the lives of the servants in the Gaskell

: Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry

  *** Sorry this session has sold out. Spaces still available on other months ***   Be inspired by the history of Elizabeth Gaskell's House, and write some original poetry based on your engagement with the objects and information displayed in our exhibition, Household Commotion. In this two-hour evening workshop, we will look at existing poetry before writing our own, inspired by a close inspection of the lives, the household tools and the everyday experiences of the House's below-stairs occupants.

: NEW Creative Writing Workshop

**** The January session has now sold out - spaces still available on other months ****   Inspired by our current exhibition, Household Commotion, this new creative writing course, led by poet Dr Rachel Sills, will run over five months, and give you the opportunity to try different forms of writing: flash fiction poetry experimental writing character sketch monologue. Session One, on January 23 will be Flash Fiction. Using the Victorian household objects, the histories of the House's