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Permanent Displays

Around the building

You can see items from our collections and a range of exhibitions throughout Gallery Oldham. We have displays on the ground floor, including in our foyer and further into Oldham Library. Our first floor landings also include a selection of items from the collections, such as our Art of the Potter display. You will find most of our collections on the second floor, as well as out three temporary exhibition galleries.

Our Beautiful Oldham

Our Beautiful Oldham is a brand-new permanent exhibition celebrating the nature, wildlife, and landscapes right on our doorstep. It’s packed with hands-on interactives and playful activities to spark young imaginations. Swim underwater with a shimmering shoal of fish, curl up with a story in the nook of a tree, or listen out for a singing bird as you explore.


Inspired by Mary Higgs’ question from nearly 150 years ago – Beautiful Oldham, why not? – the exhibition invites you to journey through Parks and Gardens, Woods, Meadows, Water, and Moors. Discover the insects and animals that call these habitats home and learn how Oldham’s landscape has changed over time through an immersive projection created with Early Years families.


Developed in partnership with Early Years families, Northern Roots, and Oldham Family Hubs, and supported by Art Fund.

1883 Art Gallery

Restoration work has transformed our neighbouring building – the original Oldham Library, Art Gallery & Museum, which is now known as the J R Clynes building. Visitors can once again cross the bridge from Gallery Oldham to explore the Oldham Panorama and see our collections displayed in three restored gallery spaces.

The restored gallery now showcases a vibrant mix of beloved classics and exciting new additions to our art collection.

Photo of the art gallery showing 3 portraits on the back wall and the black and gold roof.

Cotton Stories + Oldham and the World

In these new exhibitions you will find a range of stories about Oldham’s history. The Cotton Stories gallery explores Oldham’s past as the cotton spinning capital of the world. In the Oldham and the World gallery you can navigate a new touchscreen interactive and discover the town’s links with people and places across the globe.1883 Art Gallery

Image showing interactive touch table and museum displays in Oldham and the World Gallery.
Oldham and the World Gallery
Image showing cannisters, skep and sack truck and largescale photographs of Cotton Workers in the Cotton Stories gallery.
Cotton Stories Gallery

Foyer displays

The items displayed in our foyer give some idea of the range of objects in our collections.

They include a magnificent Rothwell car, Brendal plant models and a range of ceramics.

Ground Floor Stair Well Displays


Here you will find a display highlighting the vast diversity of plant and animal life. Our most splendid Brendel plant models and historical taxidermy including Golden Eagles and Great Bustards are show-cased here.

First floor landing displays


These displays curated by staff and visitors are on feature objects from our Social and Natural History Collections.

They include everyday objects from the past, and a number of historical taxidermy specimens.

The Art of the Potter
Since 2007 we have been actively collecting studio ceramics, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Collecting Cultures Programme.

Our permanent display The Art of the Potter features a changing selection of work by major potters from the early 20th century to the present.

The display includes pieces to touch and play with, developed in consultation with visually impaired people from Henshaws Society for Blind People.