The Portico Library
@porticolibrary.bsky.social
The Portico Library is Manchester’s original 19th-century home of literature and learning. Uncovering, imagining, and sharing new histories together.
🧵 Join us this Friday, as we celebrate the launch of Jennifer Reid's The Singer Not The Song.
A display of words, spineless wonders and dialects from the Jennifer, interwoven with books from the Portico Collection.
A display of words, spineless wonders and dialects from the Jennifer, interwoven with books from the Portico Collection.
November 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
🧵 Join us this Friday, as we celebrate the launch of Jennifer Reid's The Singer Not The Song.
A display of words, spineless wonders and dialects from the Jennifer, interwoven with books from the Portico Collection.
A display of words, spineless wonders and dialects from the Jennifer, interwoven with books from the Portico Collection.
The Wilkinson family were wealthy progressives and supporters of women's suffrage - one of his daughters Fanny Rollo Wilkinson, became the first professional female landscape gardener.
Dickens' signature is second from the bottom!
Dickens' signature is second from the bottom!
November 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The Wilkinson family were wealthy progressives and supporters of women's suffrage - one of his daughters Fanny Rollo Wilkinson, became the first professional female landscape gardener.
Dickens' signature is second from the bottom!
Dickens' signature is second from the bottom!
🧵 A remarkable discovery by Portico Library volunteer Rebecca Lamb has revealed that Charles Dickens signed the Library’s Strangers’ Book in May 1844 — confirming that one of the world’s most celebrated novelists once stepped inside Manchester’s oldest subscription library...
November 6, 2025 at 12:11 PM
🧵 A remarkable discovery by Portico Library volunteer Rebecca Lamb has revealed that Charles Dickens signed the Library’s Strangers’ Book in May 1844 — confirming that one of the world’s most celebrated novelists once stepped inside Manchester’s oldest subscription library...
Michelle, our brilliant Wedding Co-Ordinator, loves personalising the day to suit every individual wedding couple’s needs...
November 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Michelle, our brilliant Wedding Co-Ordinator, loves personalising the day to suit every individual wedding couple’s needs...
🧵 Weddings at The Portico!
The magic of being part of these big days never wears off, and we count ourselves so incredibly lucky to be part of them...
The magic of being part of these big days never wears off, and we count ourselves so incredibly lucky to be part of them...
November 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
🧵 Weddings at The Portico!
The magic of being part of these big days never wears off, and we count ourselves so incredibly lucky to be part of them...
The magic of being part of these big days never wears off, and we count ourselves so incredibly lucky to be part of them...
🧵Have you had chance to see our latest exhibition, How To Read A Book, yet?
Created by writer and artist, Stephen Emmerson, How To Read A Book is a collection concerned with language, writing, and memory...
Created by writer and artist, Stephen Emmerson, How To Read A Book is a collection concerned with language, writing, and memory...
November 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🧵Have you had chance to see our latest exhibition, How To Read A Book, yet?
Created by writer and artist, Stephen Emmerson, How To Read A Book is a collection concerned with language, writing, and memory...
Created by writer and artist, Stephen Emmerson, How To Read A Book is a collection concerned with language, writing, and memory...
We're thrilled to have been awarded Highly Commended in the Independent Venue of the Year category at the national Famtastic Rocks ceremony!
Our wedding and private hire offering — which is headed up by the brilliant Michelle Hill and Ellie Holly — was highlighted for praise by judges.
Our wedding and private hire offering — which is headed up by the brilliant Michelle Hill and Ellie Holly — was highlighted for praise by judges.
November 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM
We're thrilled to have been awarded Highly Commended in the Independent Venue of the Year category at the national Famtastic Rocks ceremony!
Our wedding and private hire offering — which is headed up by the brilliant Michelle Hill and Ellie Holly — was highlighted for praise by judges.
Our wedding and private hire offering — which is headed up by the brilliant Michelle Hill and Ellie Holly — was highlighted for praise by judges.
Tomorrow, join us for an unforgettable evening with Sharon Wright, award-winning journalist and biographer, and Graham Watson, debut author and literary sleuth...
October 31, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Tomorrow, join us for an unforgettable evening with Sharon Wright, award-winning journalist and biographer, and Graham Watson, debut author and literary sleuth...
Did you spot The Portico on @itvnews.bsky.social last night?
Our Pan African Congress 80th anniversary exhibition aired yesterday!
You can find the story online now: www.itv.com/news/granada...
Our Pan African Congress 80th anniversary exhibition aired yesterday!
You can find the story online now: www.itv.com/news/granada...
October 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Did you spot The Portico on @itvnews.bsky.social last night?
Our Pan African Congress 80th anniversary exhibition aired yesterday!
You can find the story online now: www.itv.com/news/granada...
Our Pan African Congress 80th anniversary exhibition aired yesterday!
You can find the story online now: www.itv.com/news/granada...
🧵 Last Saturday, we hosted the gorgeous wedding of Sophie and Joe. It was our biggest wedding of the year and took place under our historic dome...
October 30, 2025 at 11:39 AM
🧵 Last Saturday, we hosted the gorgeous wedding of Sophie and Joe. It was our biggest wedding of the year and took place under our historic dome...
In return for adopting a single book, you'll receive a commemorative plate in the front of the newly repaired volume to memorialise your contribution, either in your name or on behalf of a loved one.
Find out more here: www.theportico.org.uk/adoptabook
Find out more here: www.theportico.org.uk/adoptabook
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
In return for adopting a single book, you'll receive a commemorative plate in the front of the newly repaired volume to memorialise your contribution, either in your name or on behalf of a loved one.
Find out more here: www.theportico.org.uk/adoptabook
Find out more here: www.theportico.org.uk/adoptabook
You can help us preserve the Library’s historic collection by donating to our adopt-a-book fund, or even choosing an individual book to adopt...
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
You can help us preserve the Library’s historic collection by donating to our adopt-a-book fund, or even choosing an individual book to adopt...
🧵 Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into lovingly repairing historic books from The Portico's 19th-century collection...
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
🧵 Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into lovingly repairing historic books from The Portico's 19th-century collection...
Spend time learning about bees and their importance with beekeeper and author of A Bee Book, Natasha De Voe, Secretary of the Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association.
More info: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
More info: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
October 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Spend time learning about bees and their importance with beekeeper and author of A Bee Book, Natasha De Voe, Secretary of the Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association.
More info: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
More info: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
Join us to explore witches, wizards and magical creatures in our collections and more recent children’s books.
More info here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
More info here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
October 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Join us to explore witches, wizards and magical creatures in our collections and more recent children’s books.
More info here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
More info here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
We're taking part in this Autumn Funday for Half Term at the gorgeous Manchester Craft & Design Centre. We'll have some books on bees and flowers to show you, as well as collage activities.
More info here: www.craftanddesign.com/workshops/au...
More info here: www.craftanddesign.com/workshops/au...
October 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
We're taking part in this Autumn Funday for Half Term at the gorgeous Manchester Craft & Design Centre. We'll have some books on bees and flowers to show you, as well as collage activities.
More info here: www.craftanddesign.com/workshops/au...
More info here: www.craftanddesign.com/workshops/au...
We've got loads of exciting family-friendly activities coming up this week to celebrate the half term...
October 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
We've got loads of exciting family-friendly activities coming up this week to celebrate the half term...
We're thrilled to announce that we'll be hosting next year's Women In Folk Song Conference.
Taking place next April, the conference will investigate and celebrate the often-overlooked roles of females in the traditional folk song world...
Taking place next April, the conference will investigate and celebrate the often-overlooked roles of females in the traditional folk song world...
October 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
We're thrilled to announce that we'll be hosting next year's Women In Folk Song Conference.
Taking place next April, the conference will investigate and celebrate the often-overlooked roles of females in the traditional folk song world...
Taking place next April, the conference will investigate and celebrate the often-overlooked roles of females in the traditional folk song world...
We're in love with these stunning snaps taken during Bimbo Ponmile's book launch earlier this month at The Portico.
📸 Photos by the fantastic Gideon Okorie
📸 Photos by the fantastic Gideon Okorie
October 23, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We're in love with these stunning snaps taken during Bimbo Ponmile's book launch earlier this month at The Portico.
📸 Photos by the fantastic Gideon Okorie
📸 Photos by the fantastic Gideon Okorie
🧵 Tomorrow night at The Portico!
In this free, inspiring masterclass and interview with Carol Ann Whitehead, Dr Kevin Dalton-Johnson shares his personal experiences as a student, teacher, and leader within the British education system...
In this free, inspiring masterclass and interview with Carol Ann Whitehead, Dr Kevin Dalton-Johnson shares his personal experiences as a student, teacher, and leader within the British education system...
October 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
🧵 Tomorrow night at The Portico!
In this free, inspiring masterclass and interview with Carol Ann Whitehead, Dr Kevin Dalton-Johnson shares his personal experiences as a student, teacher, and leader within the British education system...
In this free, inspiring masterclass and interview with Carol Ann Whitehead, Dr Kevin Dalton-Johnson shares his personal experiences as a student, teacher, and leader within the British education system...
Tomorrow evening at The Portico, join award-winning novelists Essie Fox and Kate Griffin to find out more about the process of writing historical fiction and how to create a Gothic atmosphere.
Tickets are just £3, book yours here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
Tickets are just £3, book yours here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
October 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Tomorrow evening at The Portico, join award-winning novelists Essie Fox and Kate Griffin to find out more about the process of writing historical fiction and how to create a Gothic atmosphere.
Tickets are just £3, book yours here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
Tickets are just £3, book yours here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...
It’s #worldmenopauseday and we’re here to welcome you. Or discuss hot flushes, shaving, anger, vertigo & sleep remedies. And our wisdom.
Btw🔥this means something else to us.
#menopause
Btw🔥this means something else to us.
#menopause
October 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It’s #worldmenopauseday and we’re here to welcome you. Or discuss hot flushes, shaving, anger, vertigo & sleep remedies. And our wisdom.
Btw🔥this means something else to us.
#menopause
Btw🔥this means something else to us.
#menopause
🧵 A lovely and remarkable homecoming story for a Friday!
An 1863 edition of The Art Journal has been returned to the Portico Library by retired architect Harman Scott, almost a century after it likely left our shelves...
An 1863 edition of The Art Journal has been returned to the Portico Library by retired architect Harman Scott, almost a century after it likely left our shelves...
October 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
🧵 A lovely and remarkable homecoming story for a Friday!
An 1863 edition of The Art Journal has been returned to the Portico Library by retired architect Harman Scott, almost a century after it likely left our shelves...
An 1863 edition of The Art Journal has been returned to the Portico Library by retired architect Harman Scott, almost a century after it likely left our shelves...
🧵 Join the Portico Library as we mark the 80th anniversary of the October 1945 Pan-African Congress in Manchester, a landmark gathering that reshaped the global fight for Black liberation and independence...
October 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
🧵 Join the Portico Library as we mark the 80th anniversary of the October 1945 Pan-African Congress in Manchester, a landmark gathering that reshaped the global fight for Black liberation and independence...
As our Black History Month programme continues, here are a few titles from our latest @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social list, which features an array of books recommended by people from the African diaspora at the Portico...
October 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
As our Black History Month programme continues, here are a few titles from our latest @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social list, which features an array of books recommended by people from the African diaspora at the Portico...