The Museum of Science and Industry, commonly called the MSI or the MOSI (I have referred to it has MOSI hereafter) focuses mostly on the development of Science and the contribution of this city in such developments. Time and again it has been repeated that Manchester is a city, which has preserved its age-old customs and traditions and yet has embraced development whole-heartedly. The Museum, is situated on Liverpool Road which boasts of being the location of the World’s First Railway Network which opened in 1830. The Museum offers Steam Train Rides during the weekends .
Opened as the North Western Museum of Science and Industry in 1969, the Museum has undergone expansion, restoration, additions to its displays and other wide scale changes in all these years. In 2007, the Manchester Science Festival was organised by this Institution.In 1983, the Museum included the former Railway station in its boundaries and re-opened with added attractions for its audiences.
I have been to this Museum thrice and I bring to you glimpses of some of the major attractions of this place.
This is the first technical stuff which greets you when you enter the Museum. You have to take a photograph from the photo booths below and wait for 10-20 seconds. Voila! Your photo appears on this rotating frame and stays for a very long time. That is a photo my friend with me BTW, at the bottom of this photo chain.
These are some of the displays that you see, when you enter the Air and Space Hall display of the MOSI.
Ah the good old Steam engine days! While today, trains run on electric power and other modern technologies, the history of steam engines cannot be forgotten and should not be forgotten either. Wonder why this engine reminds me so much Thomas the Steam Engine!
A really pretty wall painting that is outside the Train Display section. I love the beauty of the paintings and also that it depicts the day-to-day works which went on in the station during the times of the Steam Engine.
This has been taken inside the, well what seemed like the drivers compartment to me. There were restrictions in getting inside the place. But I liked the empty chair ‘Standing in spotlight’ , that is why I captured the frame.
I was trying to get a full view of the place from an elevated platform. But it was very difficult as there were no elevated platforms and everywhere you look there were engines, trains and mechanics. Finally I found one staircase and took this photograph. Although it does not give a sense of the complete display, at least a wide-angle view of the Display section would do no harm for this post.
This aeroplane greets you at the entrance. Encircling this plane are displays of the evolution of Computers and the evolution of the MOSI buildings.
This was taken in the fabric display section of the Museum. the main highlight of that section is the cotton mills. The machines and processes of cotton extraction, spinning, weaving and ultimately creating a beautiful cotton garment are all explained with the help of machines, displays and audio-video narratives.
This is a general view of the machines used in manufacturing cotton garments.
Cotton Spindles
And finally, a cotton dress.
This type writer, I have seen fascinates many people into taking a selfie. In fact, I have taken photos of my friend and mum on both my visits here, in this exact spot. It is indeed quite harmless to sit on the chair and pretend to be working on a type writer.
At the end of your visit, do not forget to have a look at the shop. The proceeds made from this shop goes in the maintenance of the Museum. There is also a cafe, The Warehouse Cafe, where you can enjoy a cup of hot drink while you gaze at the beautiful surroundings of the Museum.
Just a little tip, if you are interested in having a good look at the Museum, I suggest you keep aside a day just for the Museum and Castlefield. Right beside the Museum is the Mamucium (https://trekkersoftheeast.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/mamucium-the-lost-roman-fortress/ ); some great restaurants and Castlefield which has most of Manchester’s Canal Systems. Thus, if you would come all the way to have a look at the Museum, then you might as well take some time out to cover the adjoining areas.
For further enquiries about the Museum, you must have a look at their website http://msimanchester.org.uk/ . Some important details about the Museum are given below:
Address: Museum of Science and Industry,
Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP
Opening Times : 10AM- 5PM (Everyday); Except 24th to 26th December and 1st January. (Entry Free )
Attractions: Air and Space Hall, Textile Hall, Locomotives, Railways, Workshops for children.
I like museum like this. This museum brings back the memories of the past. When I looked at your pictures, I remembered the days when I went to the museum and saw all the things that the heroes of the Philippines had.
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Thanks. It’s great to know you had been to the museum. 🙂
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It must have been so cool seeing all the older technologies, etc. I would love to see all of those old cars in person!
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Yes, its indeed cool. another Museum, of transport even gives heritage rides across Manchester . Prior booking is required though.
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This is absolutely incredible! I absolutely love science museums, and this one looks right up my alley.
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If I could make a list of my top free things to do then museums would be at the top of the list! I have always been fascinated by science and this museum sounds great!
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Yes, If you can make it, do come here. This place is great. 🙂
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I’d never heard of this museum before but it does look like there’s some interesting stuff in there 🙂 I need to travel more about the UK so I’ll bear this in mind!
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Yes, its one of the most famous museums in Manchester. Do drop in if you are free.
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Wow I didn’t know that there is Museum of Science in Manchester. My sister lives in Leeds so next time I visit her I will check it out!
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Oh Great. I am planning to go to Leeds. Maybe you can help me out with some must see places in Leeds.
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Great museum, especially for engineers and for the boys who are interested of planes and flying and other machines. I am not a typical person who would go to this museum, but if I had a son, I would take him there!
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I understand nothing of science either. But when in Manchester, I thought of experiencing everything the city has to offer. so I went here and i liked it. 🙂
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wow, we’ve been to a few museums of science, but this one rocks. I have two boys and they’d love it.
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Great to know. 🙂 Do share your opinions if you go here.
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Great post, great writing and great pictures! I ll make sure to bookmark this one for my next visit to Manchester 😉
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Thanks. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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It’s a cool museum. The steam engine trains were the most interesting displays, to me.
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Yes, it is cool. If automobiles interest you then there is another museum- The Transport Museum in Manchester. It’s worth a visit too. Some of their buses are in drivable condition and they take bookings for heritage tours in such vintage buses. I will write more about this museum after my London series.
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What an interesting article. So many things in this museum and I can say that watching the whole process of the cotton is amazing! So many machines involve in doing a cone of cotton! I watched how jeans were made, from making the fabric with cotton to the whole sewing process and it is truly a bard work.
I would love to visit the museum.
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Absolutely, you should visit the museum. there are a few places around it too that can be visited. So, you can plan your trip accordingly to accommodate everything.
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I probably will never have an opportunity to travel to London, but if I do, I will definitely try to go to MOSI! It sounds just like the sort of museum that I would greatly enjoy spending hours perusing through!
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MOSI is in Manchester not in London. And yes if you get an opportunity to come here please visit it.
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This sounds like the best museum. Seeing all of the technological advancements throughout history would be so interesting.
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Yes, though personally i understand nothing of science and technology, but it was nice to see . i found the handloom section to be the most interesting space of the museum. 🙂
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This is great! My son and husband would love this Museum! I would go along for the ride of course! 🙂
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Sure, you should try .
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They also put on great events, our workplace hired the venue out for a christmas party and it was a great setting to have an event and definitely a great talking point! I didn’t realise they offered steam train rides on the weekends!
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I’m an engineer so this sort of thing is right up my street 🙂
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Glad you liked it. 🙂
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I used to go here all the time, being from Manchester myself. I haven’t been to MOSI since i was about 10, so this was great to see how it looks these days, i may have to take a trip there soon 🙂
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Absolutely, you must come and have a look. 🙂
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Interesting museum, full of history although my favorited is the impressive photo frames displaying photos taken from the photo booth.
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Yes I liked it too. Had my photo taken there with a friend.
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