Working closely with our community, we’ve developed five key themes that will guide how The Dining Room tells its stories. Each theme draws on items from our museum collections and the lived experiences of people in Rochdale today. Together, they transform the space into a place where heritage feels alive, personal, and connected to everyday life.
The Five Themes
- School Dinners – From metal trays to bottles of milk, memories of school meals remind us of growing up, friendship, and the routines that shaped our childhoods.
- How We Cook – Pans, utensils, recipes and techniques show the different ways families in Rochdale prepare food, reflecting both tradition and change.
- Nurture – Food as care: from the comfort of a warm meal on a cold day to the ways families and communities support one another through cooking and sharing.
- Staple Foods – Everyday essentials that form the backbone of our diets, whether it’s bread, rice, potatoes or newer ingredients brought to Rochdale by migration.
- Celebrations – Food that brings us together at weddings, festivals, and community events, capturing joy, belonging, and the rituals that mark important moments.
Connecting Collections to Community
The Dining Room will showcase objects from our collections alongside the voices of people today – connecting the past with the present. Each theme is rooted in the stories and experiences of Rochdale’s communities, highlighting how the borough has changed and continues to grow.
By working with our community, we are shifting the space from a static museum display into a living story of Rochdale, shaped by the people who call it home!