This collection of rich history shows us very different relationships between people, nature and industry over time.
People have called the valley, which we now call Rossendale, home for thousands of years, but what kind of place would we like it to be?
You can explore the transformation of the valley over time, from a medieval forest for hunting to farmland, and then to an industrial landscape. This rich history shows us very different relationships between people, nature, and industry over time.
Also shown are the Irwell, a red rose of Lancashire, a lion and eagles representing two ancient local families and sprigs of hazel, the trees that gave Haslingden its name.
Some works, like Clough Head at Sharneyford, owned by Thomas Temperley, mined their own coal and fireclay on-site.
Fifty books of their music have survived, much of it attributed to local composers. It includes secular and religious music, including over 1,000 psalm and hymn tunes.
Explore our collection of fascinating documents, photographs and maps.
The Whitaker archive reveals the fascinating history of Rossendale Valley over the last 200 years.
A snapshot of what you can find in the collection are materials about The Whitaker Museum itself, local history, women’s rights, war, schools, churches, shopping, royal visits to Rossendale, the Co-operative Society, education and employment in the textile industry, links to the global postal system, bird identification posters, Mary Beetons recipe book and how-to guides for fortune telling & reading tea leaves.
Men and women from across Britain and beyond served in the conflict, and some were captured and held in camps under harsh, crowded conditions.
Food was scarce and life monotonous, so writing and sharing verse became a vital creative outlet. Every inch of paper was used, as supplies were precious.
This notebook belonged to a Rossendale man, Fred Heys, who served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, caring for animals such as horses, mules and dogs used in service.
His exact rank and duties are unknown, but his words preserve a glimpse of humanity amid wartime hardship.
Folded and sealed with red wax, it bears no stamp, as postage stamps were not yet invented and envelopes cost extra.
The red postmark of April 10th shows it began its journey to England via New York, likely travelling by coach and paddle steamer.
Postage was complex: part paid in red ink, the rest charged to the recipient in black.
After crossing the Atlantic by sailing ship, it arrived safely in Liverpool, continued by rail to Manchester, and reached Rawtenstall on May 12th, 32 days later. Its contents concern business matters and a hopeful request for a pay rise.
Events included races, dancing, and comic performances, with prizes for “Best Sentimental Character” and even one for anyone who could make the famous Hazel Grove Twins smile.
The Union, founded in 1895, represented the thousands employed in Rossendale’s thriving footwear industry, once the area’s largest trade.
At its height in 1945, membership reached 9,527, though numbers later declined and the union merged in 1995.
The gala of 1926 offered a welcome break from factory life, bringing workers and families together from across the Valley in shared pride and festivity.
The Whitaker’s art collection is made up predominantly of 19th century works in oils reflecting tastes of collectors such as local manufacturers and trades people. Recently, we have also began to collect contemporary artwork to enhance the legacy of our contemporary exhibition programme.
Enjoy our fascinating art collection.
The Whitaker has 189 oil paintings in its permanent collection, most of which have been kindly and generously donated by either owner or painter.
The wealth of Rossendale during the industrial revolution of the 19th century is directly reflected within the collection. For a small museum, there are a substantial amount of good-quality portraits and a fine collection of 19th century genre paintings. We are now in the process of developing our contemporary art collection.
Portraits include local people who have made a substantial contribution to the development of Rossendale since the 18th century. They include the major cotton and woollen mill manufacturers including those with a close connection to the Whitaker building.
Discover a vibrant selection of contemporary artworks, generously donated by the talented artists who exhibit with us. These pieces are part of our dynamic contemporary art programme, showcasing fresh perspectives that bring the present to life alongside our historic collections.
Like many at the time, he began work in a cotton mill at just six years old, part of the child labour force that powered the Industrial Revolution.
Remarkably, he later managed the very mill where he had once worked. After years in the mills, he joined Howard & Bullough of Accrington, makers of textile machinery, and proved so capable that he was sent to manage their mills in Montreal, Canada.
Returning home, he became a company director and a respected businessman. In retirement he lived in St Anne’s, dying in 1906 — a true local tale of rags to riches.
The Richard Whitaker Portrait by David Kelly (b. 1955). You can see his portrait on display in our Valley Past gallery.
He liked to maintain an overall brown tone in his landscapes and his work is distinguished by its integrity and power of construction.
This particular scene was painted in 1845, six years before he became a member of the Royal Academy.
He is often regarded as a Victorian establishment figure and his success was marked by a Memorial Exhibition, held after his death.
The Devil’s Bridge on the St Gothard Pass – Thomas Creswick (1811–1869)
You can see his portrait on display in our Reflect and Respond room.
He studied at the Royal Academy Schools in London before travelling to Australia and India, experiences that strongly influenced his art.
Known for his Methodist and religious subjects, Claxton also painted historical and dramatic scenes.
The Life Boat was completed soon after his return from Australia, where he had tried to establish a School of Art.
Reflecting Victorian fascination with tragedy at sea, the painting focuses on the human struggle rather than the natural elements.
The Life Boat was exhibited in 1862 at the Suffolk Street galleries and can be seen today in our Valley Past gallery.
Our natural history galleries and collections exhibit taxidermy animals and curious objects from around the world.
From Orangutan to Platypus, Polar Bear to Elephants, the museum’s collection represents thousands of preserved specimens.
The zoology collection includes numerous mounted mammals, many of which are on display, plus a significant collection of shells, birds, eggs and entomology. The collection is worldwide in scope, with specimens from the Arctic to Asia, Africa to Europe as well as animals from our local environment.
The Tiger and Python exhibit was originally part of William Bullock’s extraordinary 19th-century collection.
Bullock, an entertainer and showman, toured Britain with his exotic displays before opening the famous Egyptian Hall in London.His exhibits were designed to astonish Victorian audiences and our Tiger and Python still captivates visitors today.
The dramatic scene has inspired artists for centuries: an oil painting by Alexandre Isidore hangs in The Louvre, Paris, while a woodcut by Thomas Bewick also survives.
More recently, it has even featured in National Geographic. Formerly part of Norwich Museum’s collection, the exhibit joined the Rossendale Museum Collection in 1930, where it has remained proudly on display ever since.
Often sparking fond memories from those who knew her in earlier years, including some who once sat on her!
For many summers, Nellie was placed outside the museum, where visitors were encouraged to climb and pose with her.
Over time, this affection caused wear and damage, and in the late 1960s a successful fundraising effort enabled her conservation.
Today, Nellie has been lovingly restored and now takes pride of place in our Natural History gallery, where she continues to charm visitors of all ages as one of the museum’s most enduring and endearing exhibits.
Red squirrels were once common across Britain, living in a wide range of woodlands.
Today, they are mainly found in coniferous forests, including managed forestry plantations, and are far less numerous than in the past.
Their decline began after the introduction of grey squirrels from the USA in the 19th century. Larger and more adaptable, greys have out-competed native reds for food and habitat. They also carry squirrelpox, a virus harmless to greys but fatal to reds.
Conservation efforts now focus on protecting isolated populations by keeping grey squirrels out of remaining red habitats, helping ensure that these distinctive and much-loved native animals survive in Britain’s forests for future generations.
Step into the rich world of Rossendale’s past through our fascinating textile collection.
Spanning from the mid-19th to mid-20th century, the collection predominantly showcases women’s clothing, offering a glimpse into the fashion, tastes and styles, and daily lives of the people who lived here.
Beyond clothing, explore beautifully crafted samplers, household textiles, and fascinating industrial textile samples including two examples from David Whithead Fabrics of the 20th century.
Each piece in our collection tells a story, connecting you to the threads of local history and craftsmanship.
Explore our diverse ceramics collection, featuring both decorative and utilitarian pieces.
From early English pottery and intricate slipware to European treasures, the collection ranges from 4000 BCE to the 20th century, offering a fascinating journey through craftsmanship, style, and daily life across the ages
Step into our cabinet of curiosity room shows items from across the world that explorers would bring back and give to the museum.
These show different perspectives and ways of life but also connect the museum to our colonial histories. This is an immersive sight to behold!
Haslingden Road, Rossendale, England BB4 6RE, United Kingdom
The Whitaker is a charity
(registered number 1202807)
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Wed – Sun: 10am – 4pm
Late night: Thursday until 8pm
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