27th September, 2006
The History Shop stands, appropriately enough, in Library Street as it was once Wigan Central Library. The present building was erected in 1874 when the old Grammar School was demolished. Over the years an impressive collection of local history books and resources was amassed by the chief librarians.
In 1996 the main library was moved to College Avenue but the extensive local history collection was retained in the old building. To it was added a small art gallery and a meeting room. It then became the History Shop.
The Taylor Gallery contains a permanent exhibition called "Founded on Coal" which charts Wigan's history. There is also space for temporary exhibitions, which are usually about various aspects of Wigan or are displays by local societies. For example, this summer (2006) there were displays about historic buildings in Wigan, followed by exhibitions by the Wigan Photographic Society and the Atherton Photographic Society.
But the main thrust of the Taylor Gallery is the excellent provision of resources for the study of local and family history.
These resources include the already mentioned impressive collection of local history books. Also there are computers, newspapers, periodicals, maps, photographs, directories, poll books, cemetery records and microfilm and microfiche, the St. Catherine's House Index, the International Genealogy Index) etc etc.
And the staff are efficient and friendly.
Much of the information for this website was obtained from the History Shop.