I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell

Early in 2025 Elizabeth Gaskell’s House announced its inaugural writers residency funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to celebrate the House’s 10 year anniversary of opening to the public.

Three young writers (all aged under 30) were invited to spend time immersing themselves in Elizabeth’s world and responding to her legacy in their words. Georgia Affonso, Princess Arinola Adegbite and Guruleen Kahlo who are all connected to Manchester through their life, education and creative work, sought to explore not only Elizabeth Gaskell as the writer but as a woman whose life was led by a sense of social justice.

The project, in collaboration with The Writing Squad and Manchester City of Literature, celebrates 10 years since the restoration of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, which once lay abandoned, but now proudly takes its place as Manchester’s only literary house. 

All the young writers have in common, apart from being members of The Writing Squad, is that Elizabeth Gaskell is not a writer known to them, so discovering her world has immediately opened up exciting possibilities. 

This exhibition will explore and celebrate their experiences of being writers in resident and the creative work they produce.

Included in admission to the House