Rochdale Pioneers Museum

The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is housed in the building where the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society began trading on 21 December 1844. The museum is regarded as the birthplace of the modern co-operative movement and is located in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. The museum includes a recreation of the original shop, featuring its rudimentary furniture, scales, and items that were sold there. It also illustrates the influence of the co-operative movement on issues such as women's rights, poverty, education, fair trade, and social reform. The museum is owned and operated by the Co-operative Heritage Trust. History Interior of the shop, now the entrance to the museum HRH Princess Alexandra attending the reopening of the museum in 1981 with architect Roy Collins who was responsible for saving the building from structural collapse The building 31 Toad Lane was originally an 18th-century warehouse on a busy road that then extended to the centre of the town. In 1844 the Co-operative Society rented the ground floor, while the upper floors were used by the Methodist society . A counter was made from a plank on barrels, and the shop began trading. From 1849. The building 31 Toad Lane was originally an 18th-century warehouse on a busy road that then extended to the centre of the town. In 1844 the Co-operative Society rented the ground floor, while the upper floors were used by the Methodist society . A counter was made from a plank on barrels, and the shop began trading. From 1849 the Co-op rented the entire building and developed a library, meeting room, and a boot and shoe department. In the 1860s, other buildings were rented, and in 1867 the society moved to new purpose-built premises. The.