The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) occupies the site of the former Liverpool Road Station. It was here, in 1830, that the first-ever passenger rail line opened, connecting Manchester to Liverpool and the coast. Although the site was converted to goods-only use within a few years, the station exterior and departure platforms were preserved, making Liverpool Road the oldest surviving rail station in the world. Around this nucleus grew a large complex of goods warehouses and transit sheds, most of which were converted for Museum use in the 1980s. Today, MOSI is home to a huge range of collections from the region’s scientific and technological history, and takes it as its mission to explore ‘how science, industry and innovation created the world we live in today’.

The reception will take place across three of MOSI’s most popular galleries:

Revolution Manchester, the introductory gallery, showcases iconic artefacts representing the contributions of the city and region to aviation, textiles, precision engineering, energy production, microscopy and computing. Highlights include a complete working replica of the ‘Manchester Baby’ prototype computer, the first machine to demonstrate the stored-program concept, built at the University of Manchester in 1948.

The Power Hall, a former goods shed, houses one of the world’s largest collections of working steam engines, from train locomotives to the stationary plants which powered the region’s industries throughout the nineteenth century and for most of the twentieth. There are also working examples of gas, oil, hot-air and diesel engines.

The Air and Space Gallery, a former market hall adjoining the station site, focuses on aircraft and motor vehicles. Highlights include the story of the pioneer aviator Alliott Verdon Roe and the Avro company, based at various sites around Manchester, from early triplane experiments to the ambitious aerospace visions of the early Cold War.

Drinks will be provided at this event.

For current activities at MOSI, visit the website: www.mosi.org.uk

For the changing appearance of the site, see pinterest.com/mosimanchester/mosi-through-the-years/

For the history of the site, start with R S Fitzgerald, Liverpool Road Station, Manchester: an historical and architectural survey, Manchester University Press, 1980.

For the early development of the Museum, start with Richard Hills, “The North Western Museum of Science and Industry: some reminiscences”, 2013, online at www.chethams.org.uk/digital_resources/north_western_museum_of_science_and_industry.pdf