Platt Hall is...An 18th century house in a park, three miles south of Manchester city centre.
A collection of objects, combining the curious and familiar. A workshop and studio, where objects are conserved and cared for. A landmark of local history and a Grade II* listed building. A set of memories of growing up, of school visits and family outings. A place of quiet sanctuary, away from the noise of the city. A house with lots of windows that gaze out over the park. That building on the corner that you pass every day and wonder what it is. |
Wax mannequin heads from the Platt Hall Collection
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Platt Hall is all these things and more. It sits in the North East corner of Platt Fields Park, at the junction of Platt Lane and Wilmslow Road between Rusholme, Moss Side and Fallowfield.
Since 1926 it has been part of Manchester Art Gallery. From 1947 it was the Gallery of Costume, the world's first museum of fashion and dress. But in 2017, the Gallery of Costume closed. Since then, a team of staff and volunteers have been working to prepare the collection (some 24,000 objects) for eventual relocation to better storage and a new space at Manchester Art Gallery. Then what will happen to the Hall?
In its 250-year history it has been a tea room, a police station and an art school, as well as a museum and a domestic home. During the First World War it became a home again, first for Belgian refugees and later for conscientious objectors. So it's been many things. What will it be next? This much we know - that it will still be part of Manchester Art Gallery, and it will still house objects and artworks from the city's collections. But beyond that, it's up for discussion.
Platt Hall In-between is our project to explore the potential of this beautiful, quirky, dolls'-house-meets-treasure-chest of a place. It's about re-connecting the Hall with its local communities, the people who live, work and play on its doorstep. About working together to make best use of this unique historic landmark and ensure its future for years to come.
We're working with a range of partners, from park users and residents' groups, to charities and a local GP practice. We're hosting conversations, explorations and investigations - researching the history of the Hall and local area, exploring Manchester's art collections to decide what should be here in the future, and finding out more about what people really want and need to make life better in this part of the city.
If you would like to be part of the process or just want to find out more please get in touch.
Since 1926 it has been part of Manchester Art Gallery. From 1947 it was the Gallery of Costume, the world's first museum of fashion and dress. But in 2017, the Gallery of Costume closed. Since then, a team of staff and volunteers have been working to prepare the collection (some 24,000 objects) for eventual relocation to better storage and a new space at Manchester Art Gallery. Then what will happen to the Hall?
In its 250-year history it has been a tea room, a police station and an art school, as well as a museum and a domestic home. During the First World War it became a home again, first for Belgian refugees and later for conscientious objectors. So it's been many things. What will it be next? This much we know - that it will still be part of Manchester Art Gallery, and it will still house objects and artworks from the city's collections. But beyond that, it's up for discussion.
Platt Hall In-between is our project to explore the potential of this beautiful, quirky, dolls'-house-meets-treasure-chest of a place. It's about re-connecting the Hall with its local communities, the people who live, work and play on its doorstep. About working together to make best use of this unique historic landmark and ensure its future for years to come.
We're working with a range of partners, from park users and residents' groups, to charities and a local GP practice. We're hosting conversations, explorations and investigations - researching the history of the Hall and local area, exploring Manchester's art collections to decide what should be here in the future, and finding out more about what people really want and need to make life better in this part of the city.
If you would like to be part of the process or just want to find out more please get in touch.
Six principles for Platt Hall
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I've known Platt Hall most of my life. I've lived in the area and we used to come when I was child and I lived in Gorton. I brought my daughter a lot of times, and then we brought my granddaughter. I was really sorry that it closed."
"Moved to Moss Side and peered in through the windows. Crawled round the back, sad to have missed it as the costume gallery, praying it would re-open. Curious about the house’s history, excited to glimpse inside."
"I've lived in Manchester 15 years, just up the road, and I've always wondered what's inside this building."
All quotes from Platt Hall Open Door Consultation, November 2019