Rochdale Pioneers Museum

General information

Welcome to the birthplace of the modern co-operative movement, where, on 21 December 1844 the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their store selling pure food at fair prices and honest weights and measures. The business revolution that started here now involves a billion co-operators as members of 1.4 million co-operative societies across the world.

Take our online virtual tour http://www.rochdalepioneersmuseum.coop/virtual-museum

Rochdale Pioneers Museum is located on an authentic cobbled street in the heart of the Toad Lane Conservation Area. The Museum has been beautifully restored for the enjoyment of visitors thanks to a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Enter through the green door below the ‘store’ sign and step back in time to 1844. You will be welcomed by the Museum Guides and will see a replica of the store complete with scales and sacks produce. You can even dress in Victorian clothes. Children can pick up a Museum Trail and under-fives will love our Mini Pioneers baskets!

Wandering through to the ground floor exhibition space you will see the Pioneers’ original minute book from 1844. You will find out about early co-operators like Robert Owen, discover what life was like during in the ‘hungry’ 1840s and find out about Rochdale Pioneers’ principles and legacy.

Moving to the first floor exhibition space you will see a range of co-operative artefacts from delivery bikes to banners. You can also record a message on our video booth.

Alongside the permanent exhibition we have a changing programme exploring a range of co-operative themes. See rochdalepioneersmuseum.coop/exhibitions for details.

The top floor of the Museum houses the Learning Loft which is used for meetings, lectures, workshops and education. When the room is not being used for these purposes, it houses a co-operative cinema where visitors can relax and watch vintage co-operative films.

The Learning Loft also offers an interactive play space for families with co-operative games, a mini co-op shop complete with shopping trolleys and baskets, and a dividend touchscreen game.