People’s History Museum in Manchester will open 2019 with a new exhibition of historic and contemporary banners that reflect themes of protest. This display launches a year of exhibitions and events to commemorate 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre (August 16, 1819).
Each of the 25 banners has been carefully selected by the team curating the 2019 programme, picking out key moments of protest from the museum’s world-renowned collection of more than 400 political and trade union banners.
These are banners that have been a part of, and have witnessed, a range of different protest campaigns. Their diverse images, vivid colours and powerful words give life to campaigns in a unique way, with visitors able to explore the stories they reveal throughout the museum’s galleries. From temperance campaigns to poll tax protests, they represent disruptive flashpoints and the different actions taken to achieve change. Those featured represent UK wide protests, with a particular emphasis on Greater Manchester as a reflection of the region’s radical roots, which link back to Peterloo.
People’s History Museum is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm, Radical Lates are on the second Thursday each month, open until 8pm. The museum is free to enter with a suggested donation of £5. To find out about visiting the museum, its full exhibition and events programme visit www.phm.org.uk.
