About
Explore The Gissing Centre as part of Heritage Open Days 2023.
The Centre is based in the family home of the Victorian novelist, George Gissing. The current exhibition shows the many Wakefield locations in Gissing’s writing, and there is a display of history books and booklets about the area.
The Gissing Centre is housed in part of a Georgian townhouse which is the birthplace of the late-Victorian novelist, George Gissing. The small suite of rooms displays not only Gissing memorabilia and information but is also the venue of regular exhibitions and events.
The current exhibition, which is called Fact into Fiction, identifies local places and people in Gissing’s life and writing. Booklets about Westgate buildings prepared by Wakefield Historical Society for Historic England’s Westgate Heritage Action Zone project and other Wakefield Historical Publications will be on display. Short films about Gissing’s life and work, and his father’s life, are available to view.
As a result of the Historic England project to improve the streetscape and buildings of Westgate there is new paving from Westgate along the entrance passageway to the Gissing House, and an artwork by Ekaterina Sheath celebrating Gissing’s Wakefield connections can also be viewed there.
Event Times
- Saturday 9 September: 10am- 4pm
- Sunday 10 September: 10am- 4pm
- Saturday 16 September: 10am- 4pm
- Sunday 17 September: 10am- 4pm
Event sessions
The Gissing Centre Heritage Open Days
Venue Details
Find us at
Thompson's Yard, off Westgate, Wakefield, WF1 1XH