Weaver Hall tells the story of the history and industry of West Cheshire, looking at local industry, market towns, transport and archaeology.
The museum is housed within the old Northwich Union Workhouse. A special exhibition in the former workhouse schoolroom explores life for the paupers who lived there, and around the rest of the museum visitors can find out about workhouse food and some of the residents, and visit the recreated Master’s sitting room and Guardian’s Boardroom.
- The workhouse closed in 1968 and was saved from demolition after a campaign led by the celebrated children’s fiction writer Robert Westall, who lived in Northwich.
- The Northwich Roman Helmet is on display in the archaeology gallery, a rare survival of a cavalryman’s helmet from around AD 100.
- Displays of local industries include the story of how polythene was first discovered in Northwich in 1933, including very early samples of this common plastic.