To celebrate Salford’s centenary – 100 years since the charter making Salford a city was signed – we have been meeting and chatting with the people of Salford about the idea of home, the collection and what their city means to them. Schools, community groups and members of the general public have been selecting objects from Salford’s collection, each paired with some words about why the item is special to them. These choices will form an exciting exhibition opening in February 2026 to mark the centenary.
In the first phase of the project, we met with seven brilliant community groups across the Salford neighbourhoods, including Inspiring Communities Together, Creative Youth Little Hulton, Stepping Stones Creative, Loaves and Fishes, Salford Disability Forum, Women Into Visual Arts and Talk About It Mate. We learnt a lot about the invaluable work each group does for its community and shared stories and laughter in the process. In September, we are excited to meet Hamilton Davies Trust and Salford Community Upskilling, who will be the eighth and ninth community groups to take part in the project.
Each group brought their own perspective to the project. Some chose objects that capture the spirit of Salford as home, while others picked pieces that reflect their community’s mission. The objects the groups have looked at as part of the process have been wonderfully varied – from a whale’s tooth to an iconic photograph of The Smiths at Salford Lads Club!
Across the project, we have noticed the power that objects have in sparking both conversation and connection. While a Suffragette banner’s symbol of protest encouraged Salford Disability Forum to tell us about their current fight for advocacy, a miner’s safety lamp captured the guiding light that Talk About It Mate shows to its members.
In August, the conversations have shifted towards people’s personal interests as a result of a public call out. In this phase, fifty individuals living in Salford have selected objects and artworks for the exhibition. It has been fantastic to see familiar faces as well as new ones!
Whether it’s through uncovering stories of parenthood in Salford or the importance of our parks to new people arriving in the city, when community involvement underpins how we interpret objects and develop, museums become more relevant to everyone. By next year, we will have 100 objects selected by 100 groups and individuals, showing 100 years of acquisitions at the museum. We send out a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved so far.
Come and visit us in February 2026 to learn more about our collection and what it means to the people of Salford!
Eve Oliver, September 2025
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