Free Library (now Museum of Wigan Life), Rodney Street, Wigan

Reference    Manchester Guardian 22 August 1874, page 5 – contracts
Reference    British Architect 19 October 1877 Page 198

Thomas Taylor a wealthy cotton spinner, of Wigan and Aston, Oxfordshire originally offered £5,000 for the building of a free public library intended to be built in Mesnes Park, Wigan. This proposal was soon abandoned, and he subsequently purchased a site in Rodney Street where he erected a free library to the designs of Alfred Waterhouse at his own expense. This he handed to the Corporation of Wigan on 16 October 1877. His gift was augmented by the bequest of Dr. Winnard, of Wigan, for the purchase of books. The library was formally opened to the public on 17 May 1878 and was claimed to be the first building in Wigan lit by electricity. When the Library opened, women could only use the building with their husband's or father’s’ consent. The building, which remains largely in its original condition, is now home to the Museum of Wigan Life.

At a meeting of Wigan Town Council yesterday, a letter was read from Mr. Thomas Taylor (of the firm of Messrs Thomas Taylor and Brother), of Wigan, in which he said "For some time it has been my intention to make a present to town of Wigan whenever I could ascertain in what form such a gift would be most useful and acceptable. I have decided that the establishment of a free public library. would not only meet the wishes of my fellow townsmen, but also be in accordance with my own views. For this purpose, I propose to devote the sum of £5,000, which amount will, I am assured, be amply sufficient to defray the cost of erecting and fitting up a building that will be of great public utility and an ornament to the town." (cheers) A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Taylor for his gift. It was resolved to allot a portion of the new Mesnes Park (the gift of the Mayor) to the purposes of the library buildings, and when these were completed to levy a rate under the Public Libraries Act [Manchester Guardian 6 February 1873 page 5]

LEGACY TO WIGAN - We understand that the late Mr. Joseph Taylor Winnard, surgeon, of Wigan, who was interred in the cemetery there last week, has left a handsome legacy to the town, in which he has long resided. The executors (one of whom is a local architect) under the will of the deceased have informed the mayor, through their solicitors, Messrs. Leigh & Ellis, that the residue of Mr. Winnard’s property is bequeathed to the mayor, of Wigan for the time being, for the purpose of purchasing books for the proposed free library. The amount has not yet been stated, and many figures between £10,000 and £ 30,000 have been mentioned as the sum which is bequeathed to the town. Mr. Thomas Taylor, who has offered to give a building for a library, may now begin its erection at once, knowing that as soon as it is erected its contents will be ready, and further, that it may be stocked in a manner which should make the institution one of the first of its kind in the county or the kingdom. [Builder 1 November 1873 page 874]

WIGAN - Builders desirous of TENDERING for the ERECTION of a NEW FREE LIBRARY in the town of Wigan for Thomas Taylor Esq. are requested to send their names and addresses to the undersigned on or before Wednesday the 26th inst. Quantities will be supplied. ALFRED WATERHOUSE, Architect, 20 New Cavendish Street. London. W. 20 August 1874. [Manchester Guardian 22 August 1874, page 5]

A FREE LIBRARY FOR WIGAN - Yesterday was quite a holiday at Wigan, the occasion being the handing over to the town of the Free Library. The building has been erected at the expense of Mr. Thomas Taylor, of Oxford and Wigan, cotton spinner, of the firm of Messrs Taylor and Brothers, Wigan, the cost having been £10,000.  The designs were prepared by Mr. Waterhouse. The late Dr. Winnard, of Wigan, bequeathed £13,000 for the purpose of providing the Free Library with books and the Corporation has since adopted the Free Libraries Act to enable the town to maintain the institution. The building is in the centre of the town. Mr Taylor in handing over the building to the town, said it would be very ungracious on his part to attach any conditions to his gift, but there was one suggestion he would make to those in whose hands the future working of the institution would devolve, and that it was that they would see their way to opening the doors of the library at certain hours of Sunday afternoons. The company then adjourned to the public hall, where Mr and Mrs Taylor were entertained at luncheon. [Manchester Guardian 17 October 1877 page 8]