Macclesfield's Silk Museum Unveils Vibrant Programme For Women's History Month

This March, The Silk Museum will celebrate Women’s History Month with a packed programme of exhibitions, talks, and workshops designed to shine a light on the hidden histories of Macclesfield Women.

From expert-led talks to hands-on family sessions, the month-long programme offers a wealth of opportunities for the whole community to engage with, create, and celebrate the town's female legacy.

Programme highlights include:

The Three Annies: A community-curated exhibition from The History Hunters that unearths the stories of three remarkable Maxonians who shared a name but forged uniquely independent paths: Annie Ryles-Wright, Annie Whiston, and Annie Sutton. The exhibition extends beyond the museum walls; the public can also enjoy a unique art installation dedicated to the Three Annies in The 01625 Gallery (housed within the iconic telephone boxes outside Macclesfield Town Hall) and explore further through an online exhibition on the Silk Museum’s website.

New Ways to Explore: New specialised experiences include guided Walking Tours through the town’s historic streets, the Unravelling in Paradise exhibition by Aimee Spilsted at Paradise Mill, and a new specialized Mill Tour: The Women of Silk Town, which delves into the lives of the skilled women who powered the machinery of the silk industry.

Art & Creativity: A host of art exhibitions and workshops including Jacquard, a stunning exhibition of paper and stitch, and Gelli Printmaking and Portrait Drawing sessions focusing on Macclesfield-born author Edith Eaton.

Family Fun: Activities for all ages including a new Women of Macclesfield Museum Trail, dedicated Museum Tots sessions exploring voting rights and Victorian explorers, and a free Easter Egg Design drop-in inspired by the illustrations of Annie Sutton.

The programme has been put together by The Silk Museum’s Education Coordinator Natalie Lane who will also be taking women’s stories on the road, delivering a series of special assemblies to local schools.

Natalie explains: “I’m really looking forward to going out to schools as we so often welcome them here to the museum -being invited into their space is a brilliant way to strengthen our ties with the town, and share some of Macclesfield’s fantastic stories.”

The Silk Museum’s Director Clare Harding added: "We’re really proud of this programme, as it provides a wealth of opportunities for people to engage not only with Women’s History Month but with The Silk Museum as a whole. Whether visitors are joining one of our new walking tours, browsing our free exhibitions, bringing the kids to a drop-in session, or attending a fascinating talk, we’ve ensured there’s something for everyone.”  

The Women’s History Month programme is kindly supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Macclesfield Town Council.

The programme runs from 12 February – 25 April, throughout Women’s History Month and the Easter holidays. Full details can be found on the Silk Museum’s website at www.silkmuseum.org.uk

The Silk Museum is part of The Silk Heritage Trust, an independent charity working to protect, share, and celebrate Macclesfield’s pioneering heritage, for the benefit of all.