The Museum Collections

What We Collect

Tameside Museums Service collects objects which are either made in Tameside or have very strong connections to the area.

Our Social History collections comprise over 16,000 objects relating to the social and industrial of Tameside. Many visitors are surprised to find out that only a very small percentage of the museum’s collections are ever on display at any one time. The rest of the collection is kept in storage-especially in the case of particularly large industrial items or very fragile collections such as Natural History.

Reserve Collections

The large collections kept in our museum stores are known as the reserve collections. These can be viewed by appointment. Please telephone 0161 343 2878 and ask to speak to the Social History Curator.

Archaeology

The Archaeology collections include prehistoric tools as well as material from excavations at Staley Hall, Denton Hall, Dukinfield Hall and Houghton Green glassworks. Additionally we hold the Edith Radcliffe collection of Eqyptian, Greek and Roman archaeology.

Natural History

The Natural History collections include the Tinker collection of Mosses, numerous Plant Specimens, Birds Eggs, the Moore collections of Shells and Molluscs and Jackson and Radcliffe's collections of Geological specimens.

Civic Silver

Commemorative medals, trophies and ceremonial robes from across the borough.

Costume and Costume Accessories

Victorian and early Twentieth century costume and accessories including shawls, blouses, footwear, clay pipes, cosmetics to name but a few.

Tools

Tools from a variety of trades including shoe making, printing, hatting and glovemaking.

Domestic Equipment

Collections include vintage sewing machines, washing machines, cookers, mangles and refrigerators, as well as radios, televisions and furniture.