Rochdale Pioneers Museum - Toad Lane
 The Rochdale Pioneers Museum
occupies a building that started life as a house
built circa 1800 and later used as a
warehouse. In 1844, twenty-eight working
people opened the first co-operative store in the
building, selling fairly priced, good quality food
during very hard times. The museum's website
explains in 2018 that this was, "... social
enterprise in action; a chance for local
people to become equal members in a revolution
that spread all over the world."
They go on to point out that, "
... Historic England have announced their list
of 100 important places to the heritage of the
UK. Each of the categories lists ten vital
spots which underpin the culture and history
of our nation. They were selected by a series
of Judges from submissions by the general
public. For the category of Trade,
Industry and Commerce, we are delighted to
have been chosen to make the top ten by
Tristam Hunt, Historian and current Director
of the Victoria and Albert Museum in
London. We can also announce that we are
working with Historic England in Rochdale to
celebrate the uniqueness of Rochdale’s
historic character by developing local
Heritage Schools in the Borough this
Summer. We are absolutely delighted to
be recognised in this way alongside some very
well known sites."
 Outside the Grade II Listed
building is the Grade II Listed pillar box and gas
lamp shown below. Historic England say that,
"... Box dated 1866; by Cochrane Glove and
Co. Lamp of similar date but attached later.
Both box and lamp are resited. Cast iron.
Pillar box is cylindrical on base with letters
stating 'COCHRANE GLOVE & Co /WOODSIDE
WORKS/ DUDLEY 1866' The box is without royal
cipher and has annulets and horizontal slit
beneath hexagonal cap. Bolted on top of the
box is the gas lamp with gadrooned-vase foot
from which rises a fluted shaft with foliated
capital; hexagonal lantern with turned finial.
The box itself is a particularly rare
survival, ... "
 The buildings next door.    *************************************** The images below were taken circa 2002 prior to some siugnificant changes to the museum.       |
