The new gallery building has brought about an integration of the once separate museum and gallery services and the gallery is involved in a whole range of projects looking at local history and wildlife in and around Oldham.

Local History

Glodwick Lows Trail

Glodwick Lows Guide

A local history and art trail has been produced for Oldham’s nationally important geological site at Glodwick Lows Local Nature Reserve. Gallery Oldham has worked in partnership with Oldham Geological Society, Oldham Countryside Service, Oldham Environmental Services and English Nature to produce a trail leaflet and on-site interpretation boards for this former quarry near Oldham town centre.

If you would like a copy of the trail leaflet contact Alan Price on 0161 770 4662 alan.price@oldham.gov.uk

For further information on local history projects, activities and collections contact Sean Baggaley on 0161 770 4662
sean.baggaley@oldham.gov.uk.

Heritage Open Days:

11–14 September 2008

Buildings throughout the country throw open their doors for the national Heritage Open Days event, organised by the Civic Trust. A leaflet with details of events throughout the Oldham area is available from Local Studies and Archives and Gallery Oldham.

Heritage Open Day events taking place at Oldham Local Studies and Archives:

Thursday 11 September, 7.30pm: An illustrated talk on the early history of Oldham.

Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 September: Images of Union Street photography display.

Saturday 13 September: Images of Oldham photography display.

Heritage Open Days event at Gallery Oldham:

Thursday 11 September, 1pm: Oldham Panorama Talk

All free, no need to book.

Displays at Oldham Local Studies and Archives

War Memorials in Oldham and District

8 November 2008 – 28 March 2009: War Memorials in Oldham and District. Linking with the Super Structures exhibition at Gallery Oldham.

17 November – 20 December 2008: The Greater Chamber of Commerce Oldham. Display celebrating 125 years of Oldham Chamber of Commerce.

Family History Sessions

Saturday 15 November, 10am–4pm: at Gallery Oldham. Free, no need to book. A great opportunity to find out more about researching family history and the history of the Oldham area.

Every Wednesday, 2-4pm & Second Saturday of the Month, 10am-1pm: Family History Helpdesks. Experienced members of the local Family HistorySociety will be available at Oldham Local Studies and Archives to help with all your queries. Free, no need to book.

Discovery sessions at Oldham Local Studies and Archives

All taking place at Oldham Local Studies and Archives. Free, but places are limited so booking is essential, unless otherwise specified.

Saturday 27 September, 10.30am–12noon: Maps for Local Historians

Saturday 20 December, 2pm: Family History Resources at Oldham Local Studies and Archives and The Union Street Walk (weather permitting). No need to book.

Saturday 24 January, 10.30am–12noon: Looking at the Census

Saturday 21 February, 10.30am–12noon: Marriage Records for Family Historians

Saturday 21 March, 10.30am–12noon: Wills and Probate Records

Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society Events

Oldham and District Branch. Meetings at Gallery Oldham, all 2pm. £1 on the door.

Saturday 13 September: The Hidden Depths of the GENUKI Site

Saturday 11 October: Evidence or Error?

Saturday 8 November: Understanding Migration & Mobility in the Past

For further information and bookings for Oldham Local Studies and Archives events and activities contact:

Oldham Local Studies and Archives

84 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1DN

Tel: 0161 770 4654

Email: archives@oldham.gov.uk