History of Wigan   (Help with ancient and recent history.)

Why bring Haydock into it? The fact that Haydock hasn't got a museum is irrelevant.
But, whilst you brought it up ........ has Wigan got a racecourse? has Wigan got as many hotels? has Wigan got as many business / industrial parks? is the transport-hub of the north-west in Wigan? has Wigan got as much coal-mining history?

Of course it hasn't! But, hey, you made the comparison!
And St.Helens has a museum which is far better than Wigan's attempt. The staff don't tell lies. They don't need to!