Blogs & News

: New Exhibition: Tales of Manchester Life – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Manchester

A new exhibition exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell presented Manchester and its people through her novels and short stories, and the impact she had through her writing. Elizabeth was a true radical of her time, but as a woman, the influence and importance of her writing has not been recognised by history in the way that it has for her contemporaries such as Charles Dickens.  Elizabeth’s writings about the industrial North made a huge impression to her contemporaries, not just

: “My Dear Mr Ruskin….” Friendship, Inspiration and Scandal.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House explores the friendship between the Gaskell family and John Ruskin in this exhibition as part of The Ruskin Bicentenary on 2019. Often at odds with their contemporaries, John Ruskin and Elizabeth Gaskell were controversial writers, often sharing the same ideals. Elizabeth openly took sides when Ruskin’s wife, Effie, left him, commenting in a letter that “…She really is very close to a charming character; if she had had the small pox she would have been

: PERSPECTIVES | Venture Arts | Meet the Artist’s – Drop in 

A chance to meet the artists featured in Venture Arts PERSPECTIVES exhibition and learn more about the artworks featured, the artists' creative practice and Venture Arts. Included in usual House admission - just turn up. Photo: Ellie Walmsley Artwork: Ceramic heads by Darren Gallagher, Andrew Johnstone, Ahmed Mohammed, and Kathy Wilmot.

: Friends Open Day

Come to the Friends of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Open Day and help us to raise funds for the House*. Visit the House, meet some of The Friends and see the benefits of becoming a Friend of one of Manchester's Literary and Historical Treasures. From 12 noon to 3pm listen to short talks about William’s chair, Charlotte Bronte’s portrait, the servants’ exhibition, the garden and the “Manchester quilt”. For younger visitors, there will be a quiz about the servants

: The Manchester Quilt

The Elizabeth Gaskell's House Sewing Bee present their Manchester Quilt in this temporary exhibition over February Half Term. Take a closer look at the beautiful quilt made by the group, find out more about quilt making in the 19th Century and read about Elizabeth's own sewing habits in this mini-exhibition. There will also be family craft sessions running on Wednesday 21 February. The exhibition is in the Servants' Hall and is included in admission. There will be a