Member Article

Mather & Co honoured to develop iconic Pankhurst family home

Number 62 Nelson Street, Manchester, also known as the home of rebellion, politics and women’s activism, reopens with a brand-new visitor experience designed by leading exhibition designers, Mather & Co.

The permanent exhibition ‘At Home with the Pankhurst Family’ tells the story of the Pankhurst family who formed the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903 from their home in Manchester and fought for the right for women to vote. Mather & Co has reimaged three living spaces at the home, bringing to life the family at this time and their involvement in the women’s suffrage movement. The exhibition explores how their time in Manchester informed the politics of of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel, Sylvia and Adela, and how their campaign, which started in 62 Nelson Street spread to the rest of the country.

Alec Hawkins, Project Graphic Designer at Mather & Co said: “It has been amazing to work on such a prestigious project and with such a great team at the Pankhurst Centre. I think the space has been transformed and creates a bold and eye-opening experience for the visitors. I have been inspired as a designer, creating a rebellious exhibition with such a pivotal story in women’s history.”

Mather & Co’s design moves away from the traditional museum approach and creates an exhibition which rebelliously challenges visitors in the spaces, encouraging them to think about the stories of the Pankhurst women in a fresh and relevant way.

Ruth Colton, Heritage Manager for the Pankhurst Centre, said: “The Pankhurst family name is etched in the history books, but this is the first time that the story of how they became change makers and the legacy that they created has been explored in such a dynamic way. For visitors to the Pankhurst Centre what awaits is an inspiring and moving experience that shares a unique insight into the lives of the family.”

Mather & Co was responsible for four key areas of the exhibition; Entrance hallway – this explores the story of saving 62 Nelson Street, when women came together to protest the demolition of the building.

Room one – this showcases the wider context in Manchester, and The Pankhurst Family including Emmeline’s influences, loss in the family and her daughters.

Room two – this room tells the story of the development of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) movement and the Pankhurst family’s activism.

Room three – this room is where the first meeting of the WSPU took place. This space is lightly interpreted to allow visitors to immerse themselves in the authentic space where it happened.

The Pankhurst Centre is the only place where the public can visit a former home of the Pankhurst family, and is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of the fight for the right for women to vote.

The Pankhurst Centre will be opening for community groups from Thursday 29 July 2021 and then to the wider pubic from Sunday 29 August 2021.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from AIM Biffa Award History Makers, as part of the Landfill Communities Fund.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kelsey Mulvey .