Bolton Library and Museum Services is seeking stories and objects relating to the life and history of a 200-year-old hall in Moses Gate.
Built in 1807, Rock Hall was once the home of the Crompton family, owners of a hugely successful paper-making business.
It was later occupied by managers of a bleach works before being divided into separate apartments in the 1940s and 1950s.
In 1982, it opened as a visitor centre, serving as the focal point of Moses Gate Country Park.
Rock Hall closed to the public in 2014 but is now the subject of a major National Lottery Heritage Fund bid.
New displays exploring the history of the hall would be a key feature of the new Community Heritage Hub, which would also include a café, activity spaces, and offices for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
Library and museum staff are leading on the creation of the heritage displays and are now inviting anyone with objects, photographs, and stories relating to Rock Hall and Moses Gate Country Park to get in touch. Objects of particular interest could be featured in the displays.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said:
“We want to celebrate the long and fascinating history of Rock Hall and Moses Gate Country Park in the new heritage displays.
“Our heritage is a vital part of our identity as a community, helping us understand how our past has shaped the places we value today.
“Preserving these stories ensures future generations can continue to appreciate the borough’s rich history.
“Local people’s memories will be an important part of the displays, which is why we’re putting the call out for people to share their pictures and objects.”
