British Schools Museum
British Schools Museum
41/42 Queen Street
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG4 9TS
England
Website
www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk
All enquiries
admin@hitchinbritishschools.org.uk
Telephone
01462 420144
Fax
General
01462 422133
1810 to 2010 - the British Schools site in Hitchin is over 200 years old! Today the British Schools Museum celebrates the history of elementary education in Britain from 1798 to the 1960s.
The listed buildings include the only surviving Lancasterian School-room (1837) where ONE master taught 300 boys, and the Galleried Classroom (1853) for 110 boys. Also includes refurbished Edwardian and WW2/1950s classrooms and include examples of children's work. The Girls' and Infants school (1857) includes display areas, cafe and gift shop. Headmaster's House is a listed mid-Victorian house has been restored and furnished to the late Victorian period.
Around the site there are Victorian toys to play with, and a Family Discovery Trail to explore this unique collection of buildings. Come and sit in the classrooms, use a dip pens, and discover what the headmaster kept in his parlour! Children can dress up in pinafores, bonnets and caps to experience early school days!
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Venue Type:
Museum, Archive, Heritage site
Additional info
Regrettably the Victorian architects and builders did not cater for visitors with disabilities, but we have greatly improved accessibility by installing slopes and ramps where steps used to be. We regret that the Gallery Classroom is not accessible to wheelchairs. The Headmaster's House has one step to negotiate.
The Museum houses the Jill Grey Collection of Childhood and Educational Material. Around 35,000 items related to education of children from the 17th Century collected by Hitchin resident Jill Grey (one-time personal assistant to Frank Whittle). There have been many later additions to the museums resources acquired after the death of Jill Grey.
Collection details
Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Archives
Key artists and exhibits
- School Museum
- Schoolroom Museum
- Schools Museum
- British Schools
- British & Foreign Schools Society
- Jill Grey Collection of Childhood and Education Memorabilia.
- Benchmark Collection of childhood material.
- Joseph Lancaster - education for the working poor
- Monitorial Teaching
- Lancasterian Schoolroom
- Galleried Classroom
- A unique collection of 19th and 20th Century Schoolrooms.
- Museum of Victorian life and childhood - toys to play with.
- Victorian School lessons for School groups.
- Early elementary education and educationalists.
- Educational, School Registers and Archives.
- Victorian Toys
- Postcards
- Cartes de Visite
Exhibition - 'Crucible of Fire'
Celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of the local hero who had a global impact. Learn about his remarkable life. Marvel at the scope of his work. See how his ingenuity changed the world. Contact 01462 420144. Website: www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Where
The british Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen St. Hitchin, Herts SG4 9TS
Dragons & St. George.
Dragon related fun and games to celebrate St. George's Day. Normal opening times and admission charges. Contact 01462 420144 Website: www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Suitable for
- Any age
When
2-5pm
Where
British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TS
Admission
Normal admission charges. Contact 01462 420144 Website: www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Make & Play: Games from the Past.
Drop in between 10.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. (last entry 1.30 p.m.) An adult must accompany children. Adults fee admission
Suitable for
- Any age
When
10:30am-2:30pm
Where
British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9TS
Admission
£3.50.
The Fair in the Square
The annual day of fun, food and fine fare. Contact 01462 420144 Website: www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Old Market Square, Hitchin, Herts
Hitchin Concert Band
Hitchin Concert Band begin the Hitchin Festival in style at the Museum with thier wide and varied repertoire embracing styles ranging from jazz to classical music, music from the shows and works and arrangements made especially for the Band.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
From 7:30pm
Admission
Tickets £8. Cash Bar. Tickets are available from British Schools Museum, Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TS. Tel: 01462 420144 (Cheques payable to Hitchin British Schools Trust with S.A.E.)
Sir Henry Bessemer - 'I was happy here'.
John Pearce gives a talk on Sir Henry Bessemer and his links to the local area followed by a one act play by Tony Phillips inspired by the great man's life and works.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
From 2pm
Admission
Ticket: £10, which includes light refreshments, available from British Schools Museum, Queen Street, Hitchin, SG4 9TS Tel: 01462 420144. Cheques payable to Hitchin British Schools Trust, with SAE please). wwwhitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Bedford Gallery Quire
The Bedford Gallery Quire will be performing in early 19th century costume, 3 and 4 part harmony in the 'conventional voices' of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass with instruments of the period doubling the vocal lines. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
From 7:30pm
Admission
Tickets £8. Cash bar. Tickets available from British Schools Museum, Queen Street, Hitchin SG4 9TS or contact 01462 420144 www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Summer Holidays 2013
In the School Summer Holidays the British Schools Museum will open on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Normal admission charges apply. Contact: British Schools Museum, Queen Street, Hitchin, SG4 9TS Tel. No. 01462 420144 www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Be a Victorian Child for the Day
Discover what life was like for Victorian children. Drop in between 10.30 and 2.30 p.m. (last entry 1.30 p.m.) An adult must accompany children.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
- Family friendly
When
From 10:30am
Admission
Cost: £4.00 per child. Adults free admission. Contact 01462 420144 www.hitchinbritishschools.co.uk
Opening times 2013
On Tuesdays opening hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays 2 to 5 p.m. During the school holidays we also open on Wednesdays, watch our website for details. The first Sunday of every month features a Victorian lesson experience beginning at 2.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. Clean your fingernails, brush your hair and sample the joys of a Victorian lesson under the strict tutelage of the School - ma'am.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Where
The British Schools Museum, 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9TS
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