Museum of Science and Industry Manchester

Museum of Science and Industry ManchesterThe Museum of Science and Industry Manchester, or MOSI for short, occupies the former Liverpool Road Station, one of Manchester’s most historically significant sites.  It’s a particularly fitting venue for such an important museum since Liverpool Road Station was the terminus of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway which was the world’s first purpose built goods and passenger railway.  Liverpool Road Station is the world’s oldest railway station.

The Great Western Warehouse, formerly the Main Building, is where the largest part of the vast collection of the Museum of Science and Industry Manchester is housed.  It has only recently undergone a £9 million refurbishment that has resulted in a brand new gallery,  revamped coffee shop,  gift shop and restaurant.   For the corporate market greatly enhanced conferencing and education facilities have also been added making it a venue for all occasions.  The relocated learning centre caters for over 25,000 school pupils who visit the Museum of Science and Industry Manchester each year.

The collections at the Museum of Science and Industry Manchester are officially designated as ‘pre-eminent collections of national and international importance.’  The scope of the collections is vast due to Manchester’s renown as the world’s first industrial city and it is this story that Museum of Science and Industry Manchester sets out to tell.  Most of the artefacts in the collections were made in Manchester and its surroundings.  Objects are still being acquired to this day with a view to portraying Manchester’s continuing story.

What would you expect to see at the Museum of Science and Industry Manchester?  The list is pretty much endless but ranges from everyday domestic appliances to huge specimens of manufacturing machinery and scientific instruments.  You’ll find vehicles, models,  archaeological finds and even works of art.  Some of the most recent additions include ‘Electric Blue’, the world’s fastest milk float which was used on milk rounds in the Midlands until 2000.  The Museum of Science and Industry Manchester acquired ‘Electric Blue’ in 2011.

The Museum of Science and Industry Manchester is situated on Liverpool Road in the Castlefield area of Manchester and is clearly signposted on all main roads into the city.  It is open from 10am till 5pm every day except 24-26 December and 1 January.  It is also free to enter in to the main museum and is a must see on any trip to this great city.

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