Blogs & News

: Online Talk: Victorian Christmas in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Manchester

At the start of Queen Victoria’s reign, Christmas meant little to commercial Manchester but during the 1840s-1860s the city came to share in an upsurge of enthusiasm for the festive season. Elizabeth Gaskell's Manchester saw a boom in the Christmas trade in food, wine and gifts, the expansion of seasonal entertainments like pantomime and the revival of old customs. Even the Mechanics Institution sponsored a series of pageants involving wassail bowls and boars’ heads. And if Christmas was

: October Half-Term

Join us at your local museum this October Half-Term for family fun and Halloween kids activities. Discover our Hidden Wonders Trail around the House, join our drop-in creepy craft activities and share some Autumn time out with friends and family. Children aged 4+ and their families are invited to experience the joy of discovery at Elizabeth Gaskell's House this October half term. The Hidden Wonders Hunt is a free spotter trail from Kids in Museums and Walker Books,

: Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Online Book Group

The friendly online Book Group at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House focuses mainly on reading classic works of fiction from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Our intention is to provide a varied and stimulating set of novels, all of which are well worth reading – or re-reading – and which cater for a diverse range of tastes. We warmly welcome newcomers to the group, whether to join in conversations about one or two particular novels, or to attend meetings

: M13 Residents Go Free

To coincide with the Swinton Grove Park Community Christmas light switch on, local residents with a M13 postcode can gain free entry to Elizabeth Gaskell's House on Wednesday 3 December. The House will be decorated for Christmas click here for more information and open from 11am, with last entry at 3pm. Pick up Christmas gifts from our museum shop and try festive treats in our Tea Room plus we have craft activities in the servants' Hall for all

: Online Tour of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Using 360-degree photography our expert guides will bring Manchester's literary heritage to life via an online tour of Elizabeth Gaskell's House. From the Morning Room and Study, to the Drawing and Dining Rooms, you'll learn about Elizabeth's family life; how William, her husband, supported her and how her life in Manchester influenced the books she wrote and made her famous throughout the world. Find out about the people who visited the House, including the notoriously shy Charlotte Bronte,