“Deeds not Words.” This motto echoes through the walls of the Pankhurst Centre. The Pankhurst Centre stands before us. It is more than just a building. It is a symbol of the fight for women’s rights.
This very place at 60-62 Nelson Street in Manchester was once home to Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. This was between 1897 and 1907. It was here in 1903 that the suffragette movement was born. Emmeline founded the Women’s Social and Political Union here. Her daughters Christabel, Sylvia, and Adela were active members. They fought tirelessly for women’s suffrage.
The Pankhurst Centre is housed in a pair of Victorian villas built around 1840. It is now a Grade II* listed building. This designation happened on June 9, 1974. In 1978, there was a plan to demolish the building. A protest saved it. People wanted to keep it as a museum dedicated to women’s issues.
Step inside and imagine the parlour as it was. Barbara Castle and Helen Pankhurst opened the centre on October 10, 1987. The parlour was the first room to be redecorated. Its Edwardian furnishings evoke the home of Emmeline Pankhurst. It is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of women’s fight for the right to vote.
The Pankhurst Centre offers a unique space for women. It is a place where they can learn together. They can work on projects and socialise. The centre includes a heritage area open to all. It also has a women-only space. It offers a reading and reference area. You can find books, magazines, newspapers, and memorabilia from the suffrage period onward. There is information on women’s issues and women’s history.
In September 2018, a garden was opened at the Pankhurst Centre. Janet Leigh designed it. The garden marks the centenary of Votes for Women. It acknowledges the work of suffragettes. Over 500 people contributed over £24,000 to fund the garden. The garden also provides a relaxation space for the women and children residents of Manchester Women’s Aid.
The Pankhurst Centre relies on donations. It receives no public funding. You can donate cash via a donation box on-site. You can also donate by cheque. To donate non-cash items, contact the centre via email.
The Pankhurst Trust merged with Manchester Women’s Aid in 2014. It offers women’s charity services. The centre suffered a break-in on October 1, 2019. Donations helped repair the damage. The Co-operative Group donated £10,000. The centre reopened on August 29, 2021, after a major redevelopment project.
Remember the Pankhurst Centre. It is a testament to the courage and determination of the suffragettes. It is a reminder that the fight for equality continues. As you leave, consider how you can contribute to a more just and equitable world.