This online catalogue allows you to search for information about the
collections held at Oldham Local Studies and Archives and Gallery Oldham. Most
of the collections relate to the history and heritage of the area covered by
Oldham Council including the seven townships of Chadderton, Crompton, Failsworth,
Lees, Oldham, Royton and Saddleworth.
The collections of Oldham Local Studies and Archives include both local
studies and archive collections.
The local studies collections include mainly published items such as books,
pamphlets, photographs, maps, oral history recordings and newspapers. There is
also an extensive collection of material held on microfilm.
The archives collection contains unique original records that have been
produced by local government, business, organisations and individuals who have
operated within or have links with Oldham. These collections include: Oldham
Workhouse records, local school records, memoirs of serving soldiers, Oldham
Coliseum theatre records, Stott Architectural Practice drawings, etc.
Gallery Oldham’s collections include social history, fine and decorative art,
and natural history.
The social history collections relate to local history and contain a range of
items representing daily life and working life. Specific collections include
archaeology, costume and textiles and a range of ephemera as well as smaller
collections of coins and medals, clocks and watches and banners.
The fine and decorative art collections include British paintings, art
photography, sculpture, and studio pottery, Bangladeshi contemporary art and
East Asian metalwork and ceramics, and miscellaneous decorative art objects.
The natural history collections include specimens of plants, taxidermy,
insects, rocks, fossils and minerals. Some of these collections have their
origins with the Oldham Microscopical and Natural History Society.
By using the catalogue you can search across all the collections. Please note
that the catalogue does not contain all our holdings. However new items are
added on a regular basis.
If you are unable to find something you are looking for please contact
calm@oldham.gov.uk