Blogs & News

: Online Talk: Vindication of the Rights of Woman – Mary Wollstonecraft’s Influence in the Writings of Elizabeth Gaskell.

We're celebrating the approach of International Women's Day with a focus on Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneer of feminist thought in the UK, and her influence on Elizabeth Gaskell's writing. Wollstonecraft is firmly back in public consciousness, due to the head-turning new statue in her honour, by artist Maggi Hambling. Join us for this fascinating online talk with Dr Diane Duffy, as she examines the ways Wollstonecraft's ideas have informed Elizabeth Gaskell's work. Tickets £4 Refer to your e-ticket

: Online Talk: Chocolate-box Cranford: An Idyll?

Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford is famed for its portrayal of picture-perfect English village life, and its well-loved illustrations by Hugh Thomson help to paint this chocolate-box picture. But is there more to Cranford than the idyllic image suggests? Find out in this online winter's evening talk by Anthony Burton, which accompanies our exciting new Cranford exhibition in 2021. Tickets £4     ** Ticket sales will cease one hour before the event starts** Refer to your e-ticket for joining

: Lunch-time Talk: Art, Architecture & the Future of Humanity – Ruskin’s Enduring Message

Pull up a seat and enjoy finding out more about eminent Victorian John Ruskin's message for mankind, in this thought-provoking talk by Chris Bamber. Make a whole civilised Sunday of it, and visit our Ruskin exhibition to help put his message in context. You'll be able to browse some of Ruskin's writings on art and architecture, and try your hand at a spot of nature sketching too, inspired by the great artist. Or channel Ruskin's love of nature-watching

: February Half-term Family Crafts: Making Origami Cats

And do you know we are to have a kitten all the way from Paris, called Cranford; with very long hair and soft pretty eyes? Elizabeth Gaskell, from a letter, 1854 Cats! Cats! Cats! Feline friends are a firm feature in Elizabeth Gaskell's life and writing! From her own cats, Cranford and Mimi, to the unfortunate cat who swallowed a fine lace collar in her novel Cranford, and the crafty cat who stole the Christmas sausages in her short

: Online Talk: Christmas Revels in Victorian Manchester

  ***Sorry this talk has now sold out ****** Everyone loves a traditional Victorian Christmas! Get your mince pies ready, pull up your favourite chair, and join us online for a cosy Christmassy evening, as Anthony Burton reveals just how Manchester celebrated Christmas in the Victorian era. The talk will be approx 45 mins long, with time for a short Q&A session afterwards Tickets £3     ** Ticket sales will cease one day before the event starts,