Category Archives: Museums

Bankfield Museum in Halifax is hosting a special event with a direct descendant of ‘King’ David Hartley, the leader of the Cragg Vale Coiners, as the story of the gang features in the new BBC drama, The Gallows Pole. On Saturday 17 June, Steve Hartley, great, great, great, great, great grandson of ‘King’ David Hartley,… read more … about Discover the real story behind the Yorkshire Coiners at Bankfield Museum>>

Display of books relating to the Cragg Vale Coiners at Bankfield Museum

Visitors to Bankfield Museum, Halifax, can take a trip back to the Swinging Sixties with the first of a series of special live events exploring fashions throughout history. Bankfield Museum is currently hosting the ‘Opening the Wardrobe’ exhibition on the top floor of the museum, showcasing the unique collection of dress historian and author Lucy… read more … about Event celebrates the iconic fashions of the 1960s>>

Blue chiffon 1960s dress

The fascinating life of world-famous Anne Lister biographer, Helena Whitbread, is being showcased as part of a new, exclusive film. As part of celebrations for the anniversary of Anne Lister’s birth, on 3 April, Calderdale Council premiered the new documentary about Helena, which delves into the fascinating work of the renowned historian, who decoded Anne… read more … about New film showcases the inspirational life of Anne Lister historian, Helena Whitbread>>

Helena Whitbread being interviewed at Shibden Hall

The incredible legacy of Anne Lister has inspired a series of performances which are taking place as part of the Anne Lister Birthday Festival. The famous landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, traveller, and lesbian, Anne Lister was born in Halifax on 3 April 1791. To celebrate the anniversary of her birth, Calderdale Council is supporting a… read more … about Anne Lister’s story inspires new performance works>>

College students learn about Anne Lister

The style, function and symbolism of headwear in British society is being explored in a new exhibition at Bankfield Museum, near Halifax, celebrating all things hat. ‘A hat for all seasons’ launches on Saturday 11 March 2023 and will feature a range of hats from the Bankfield Museum collection. The varied styles and designs on… read more … about New exhibition showcases a hat for all seasons>>

Bankfield hat

The top floor at Bankfield Museum, near Halifax, is being transformed to house the unique collection of dress historian and author Lucy Adlington, as part of a year-long residency. From Saturday 4 February, the museum’s new exhibition, ‘Opening the wardrobe’ will celebrate women’s clothes and the stories they tell. This is an exclusive glimpse into… read more … about ‘Opening the wardrobe’ to a world of fashion>>

Blue chiffon 1960s dress

An exclusive new film showcasing the story of world-famous Anne Lister biographer, Helena Whitbread, is in the making. Keen to maximise the impact of the ‘Gentleman Jack effect’, Calderdale Council will release its recent interview with Helena to the world through a special film on Anne Lister’s 232nd birthday, 3 April 2023. The film will… read more … about New film to showcase talents of Helena Whitbread and Anne Lister>>

Helena Whitbread being interviewed at Shibden Hall

Organisations across Calderdale are coming together to celebrate the life and legacy of Anne Lister. Anne, who lived from 1791 to 1840, was a remarkable woman: landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, traveller, and lesbian. Her fascinating diaries of over five million words detailed her life, loves, health, business interests and politics and her story became world-famous… read more … about Programme of events celebrate the legacy of Anne Lister>>

When Heptonstall Museum was placed on Calderdale Council’s community asset transfer list, a core group of Heptonstall residents took immediate action to save its future and founded ‘Friends of Heptonstall Museum’ (“FOHM”). Following a rigorous appraisal process of their plans by the Council, they received exciting news confirming their successful application. Their business plan has… read more … about Update on Heptonstall Museum>>

Heptonstall Museum