I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell

Early in 2025 Elizabeth Gaskell’s House announced its inaugural Writers Residency funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to celebrate the House’s 10-year anniversary of opening to the public.

‘I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell’ features work by three young writers Georgia Affonso, Princess Arinola Adegbite and Guruleen Kahlo, who completed a spring residency at the House.

The immersive exhibition flows throughout the House and includes Guruleen’s short stories, Georgia’s play available in audio format, and poems by Princess, all positioned in areas reflecting their inspiration and themes including at Elizabeth’s writing table over looking the garden.

The three writers (all aged under 30) were invited to spend time immersing themselves in Elizabeth’s world and responding to her legacy in their own words.

The project, in collaboration with The Writing Squad and Manchester City of Literature, celebrates 10 years since the restoration of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, which once lay abandoned, but now proudly takes its place as Manchester’s only literary house.

All the young writers have in common, apart from being members of The Writing Squad, is that Elizabeth Gaskell is not a writer known to them, so discovering her world has immediately opened up exciting possibilities.

This exhibition will explore and celebrate their experiences of being writers in residence and the creative work they produce.

Included in admission to the House