Commemorative Plaques of Manchester

“Site of Little Ireland. Large numbers of immigrant Irish workers lived here in appalling housing conditions.” Plaque Factfile Location: Great Marlborough St, Manchester City Centre Erected: 1 January 1992 The History This little red commemorative plaque can be found about half-way between New Wakefield Street and Hulme Street in Manchester City Centre, in an area that was once known as “Little Ireland”. Little Ireland was a slum district in Manchester, and one of the poorest areas of the city in the early 19th century. The area was given its name due to…

“Sir Frederic Williams (1911-1977) & Tom Kilburn (1921-2001) Creators of the first Stored-Program Computer Graduate and Professor of Electro-technics 1946-1977 Graduate and Professor of Computer Engineering & Computer Science 1960-1981″ Plaque Factfile Location: Rutherford Building, Bridgeford Street Subjects Commemorated: Professor Sir Frederic Williams & Professor Tom Kilburn The History This blue commemorative plaque can be found in The University Of Manchester campus area, just off Oxford Road in the city centre. Professor Sir Frederic Williams was a British electrical engineer, educated at the University of Manchester. In 1939, he joined the staff…

Opposite this plaque was the Bank Street Ground home of Manchester United formerly Newton Heath F.C. 1893 to 1910.” Plaque Factfile Location: Bank Street, Manchester Erected: 1989 The History This little red commemorative plaque can be found on a wall opposite Manchester United’s former training ground, Bank Street. The club was founded as Newton Heath FC back in 1878, where they trained at this very location. In 1902, the club changed its name to Manchester United. In 1908, Manchester United won their first league title, followed by the FA Cup a year…

“Building of Architectural or Historic Interest Grade I Liverpool Road Station The world’s first passenger railway station, terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester railway which was opened by the Duke of Wellington on 15th September 1830″ Plaque Factfile Location: Liverpool Road, Castlefield Erected: 1986 The History This little black commemorative plaque can be found at the former site of Liverpool Road Station in Castlefield. The station opened on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in Manchester on 15th September 1830. Liverpool Road Station proudly stood as the Manchester terminus of the world’s first…

“On this site The Revd. John Wesley 1703-1791 opened the second Methodist preaching house in Manchester 30th March 1781″ Plaque Factfile Location: Central Hall, Oldham Street, Manchester City Centre Erected: 1st January 1974 The History This little blue commemorative plaque can be found on Oldham Street in Manchester City Centre. The plaque is in commemoration of Anglican cleric and Christian theologian, John Wesley. John Wesley, along with his brother Charles and fellow cleric George Whitefield, were the founders of Methodism. The Methodist revival began as a movement within the Church of England…

“Yuri Gagarin 1934 – 1968 Soviet Cosmonaut and first human to voyage into space Flew in to Manchester Airport to be greeted by thousands of supporters 12th July 1961″ Plaque Factfile Location: Terminal 3, Manchester Airport Erected: September 2011 The History This little black commemorative plaque can be found in Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport. The plaque was unveiled in September 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the visit of Russian Yuri Gagarin. Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut, who became the first man to journey into outerspace. This happened…

“Richard Cobden M.P. A pioneer of free trade lived here 1836-1843 Owens College (later Manchester University) occupied the building 1851-1873″ Plaque Factfile Location: County Court, Quay Street Erected: 1st January 1960 The History This little blue commemorative plaque is located on the side of Cobden House, the former home of Richard Cobden, an English manufacturer and Radical and Liberal statesman. Richard Cobden was born in 1804 near Midhurst in Sussex, one of 11 children of local farmer, Richard Cobden. He worked as a travelling salesman before going into the textile trade, which…

“William Crabtree 1610-1644 The Salford Astronomer. In this area stood the house of William Crabtree from where he observed the Transit of Venus on Sunday 24 Nov.1639″ Plaque Factfile Location: 388 Lower Broughton Road Erected: December 2005 The History This little blue commemorative plaque can be found at the former home of William Crabtree, at Ivy Cottage on Lower Broughton Road. William Crabtree was an astronomer, mathematician and merchant, born in Broughton, Salford in 1610. He married into a wealthy family and worked as a merchant in Manchester, though had a great…

These are places that you may or may not already know about – after all, they are the hidden gems for a reason. However, these are some of our favourite buildings in the whole of Manchester.

The histories of these buildings lie deep, and some of them play a role in building the foundations of the city as we know it now. The stories behind these museums, libraries and other locations are inspiring and we think it’s important that more people know about them!

We’ve created a section for each one of Manchester’s hidden gems, telling you all about their history, displays, exhibitions and how you can visit the site for yourself.