The Pankhurst Centre
I have wanted to visit 62, Nelson Street Manchester for many years. It was in this house that Emmeline Pankhurst and her family lived from 1898 until 1907, and where the first meeting of the movement that became known as the suffragettes took place in their parlour. Having now visited, I was not disappointed.
The Pankhurst Centre is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of women’s fight for the right to vote. It is thoughtfully presented, ensuring the story of Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes is told for everyone.
In 1901, Emmeline Pankhurst lived at 62 Nelson Street with her children, Christabel, Sylvia, Adela and Harry and some others as can be seen on the Census return above.
Having been elected as a Poor Law Guardian in 1894, Mrs Pankhurst worked as a Registrar after the death of her husband. To enable her to operate outside working hours, making it easier for working-class women to register births and deaths, she ran a registry office from her home.
On 10th October 1903, Emmeline invited a group of her friends to a meeting where they agreed to form a new organisation to campaign for women’s voting rights. This would be named the ‘Women’s Social and Political Union’ (later called ‘Suffragettes’ by the Daily Mail) and that 62 Nelson Street would serve as its headquarters. In 1905, Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney set out from Nelson Street to attend a meeting of the Liberal Party at the Free Trade Hall which led to the first arrests and imprisonments of the suffragette campaign.
I found it fascinating- and quite moving- to be able to stand in the very room where the Suffragette movement first took shape. The museum is beautifully presented, allowing visitors a glimpse of what it would have been like at the time and yet displaying plenty of interesting information and artefacts relating to the family and the movement. Letters and newspaper cuttings help to tell the story along with quotes from the family and their friends. One room is dedicated to displaying an excellent film which built up a timeline of events, presenting a huge amount of information in a very engaging and interesting way.
The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable and were very tolerant when I asked if I could revisit the parlour and stand there on my own for a little while- in the room where it all started. This might be a small museum, but it is absolutely worth a visit- a very special place.
The Pankhurst Centre
60-62 Nelson St,
Manchester
M13 9WP
An excellent book to share with children about the suffragettes is ‘Suffragette: The Battle for Equality’ by David Roberts. Told through words and pictures, it is both accessible and fascinating, a book for children and adults to enjoy.
Located in St Peter's Square, Manchester, a bronze statue called ‘Rise up, Women’ was unveiled in 2018. Created by sculptor Hazel Reeves, the statue shows Mrs Pankhurst addressing a demonstration and is surrounded by a Meeting Circle- a fitting tribute to a very significant lady.