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'Lost Hulme' moves to landmark venue

Exhibition at Central Library

MMU’s photographic exhibition ‘Lost Hulme’ – a hit at the Zion Arts Centre – is going on show at Manchester Central Library.

The unique collection of photographs and documents that ‘tell the story of a Hulme from the 19th Century will be the final visiting exhibition at Manchester’s famous ‘circular’ library before it closes for refurbishment.

More than 100 photographs dating from the 1880s to the 1980s went on view at the Zion in Hulme in February and a selection will be displayed on the first floor of the Central Library, from tomorrow, March 13 to April 1.

Drawing on collections from the city's institutions, libraries, archives as well as private collections, many of the photographs have been rarely seen in public.

Misunderstood

Undergraduate researcher Claire O'Hanrahan, 22, who compiled the collection with Sinead Wynburg and academic historian Terry Wyke, said: "Hulme is an important and much misunderstood community in Manchester.

"As historians we have the duty to show the past and the mistakes of demolition and development so that people can learn lessons for the future."

While it covers some more recent history - for example, the story of the Crescents housing 'experiment' - the focus is on a much longer and significant history in the making of modern Manchester, the world's first industrial city.

- the importance of the Bridgewater Canal in sparking the economic development
- the 'galloping urbanisation' that occurred during the 19th Century is charted.
- Pubs and churches
- Shops and street scenes

History at MMU

The exhibition is arranged through the Department of History and Economic History at Manchester Metropolitan University and supported by the IDEA team in the Faculty of Humanities, Law & Social Science, and the Visual Resources Centre, Faculty of Art & Design.

Image is of Back Anne Street, Hulme c.1895.
Courtesy of Manchester Local Studies Library and Archives

Published Friday, 12th March 2010