The Leyland Free Library and Museum 1886

Another in an occasional series on Hindley, this is the Leyland Free Library and Museum built in 1886 by Thomas Worthington. It is designed in a Free-Elizabethan style paid for from the estate of John Leyland. here's an image from 1887. Leyland was an important benefactor of the town, born in Mill Lane in 1832 to an established family of cloth manufacturers. He took his public duties seriously and was a governor of the local Grammar school which also benefited on his demise.

A solid Victorian statement to benefit the local population and venerate its benefactor. Must have been a refuge for many of the poor in the town whose living conditions were squalid in many aspects as a result of rapid expansion in order to meet the needs of the mills and collieries for working men.

It was this period when my great grandparents migrated from Wales to take advantage of the plentiful jobs on offer. Sadly these boom years were short lived.