Over the years, many families, individuals, and communities who relocated from around the world have made Manchester’s Longsight, Ardwick and their surrounding areas their home. A walk across Stockport Road or a stroll in the neighbouring Longsight market opens a porthole to some of the languages and cultures that travelled along with them. Our recently established community archive is dedicated to preserving the richness of our community's histories and cultures, recognising the power of shared stories and collective memories in shaping our identity today. 

The 422 building, which served as a library until the late 1970s, was built in 1851 as one of the first free public libraries in the United Kingdom pioneering the idea that free knowledge and education should be accessible to all people of all classes and backgrounds. However, when the youth centre it housed in the following decades closed down, it was left shut and deteriorating for over a decade with no recognition of its important role in the city's history as a beacon for equality and social justice. 

While most traditional archives rely on pre-existing collections of documents, records, or artefacts, the 422 Community Archive takes the lack of such documentation as its starting point. From here, we raise important questions about whose narratives are preserved and why and challenge common perceptions of historic and cultural value. We invite local residents, artists, creatives, researchers, and social practitioners, to collaborate closely and produce diverse projects that illuminate the often-overlooked stories of our area and its people. Join us for a journey through time, exploring the narratives, images, and artefacts that define who we are! 

*Please note that most of our work is preserved digitally and we are currently unable to accept or store any physical contributions.