Events
Click here to skip to the area you are interested in: Castle Future: 1914 and the Debtors' Prison, Half Term Fun - Celebrate the 1950s, Workshops, lectures and tours, York Museums Trust Book Club.
Help us plan the future of the museum! Let us know what you think of our exhibition plans and find out more about the history of the museum buildings in these friendly and welcoming drop-in sessions during 2012.
Find out more on our Castle Future web pages.
1914: When the World Changed Forever
Wednesdays 2, 9, 23, 30 May; 13 June; 4, 11, 18 July; 5, 12, 19, 26 September
11am - 4pm
At the turn of the 20th century people were abandoning long-held Victorian values and a new modern world was forming. In 1914, a shot rang out across Europe's skies that triggered revolution, innovation and warfare on a scale never seen before.
In 2013, we will host a major exhibition that will bring this world into modern focus, so come and tell us what 1914 means to you, share your stories and help us shape this exciting new vision.
The Price of Debt
Fridays 4, 25 May; 6, 13, 20 July; 7, 14, 21, 28 September
plus every day 11-18 May and 14 -30 June
11am - 4pm
Discover what life was like in York's Debtors' Prison in 1777. Visit an original Debtors' cell, experience the daily life of a prisoner and discover how much they were expected to pay for the privilege of being locked up!
Celebrate the 1950s
2 - 10 June, 10am - 4pm
Join us as we celebrate the decade of the Queen's ascension to the throne
A Cake for the Coronation
A good celebration always needs a cake and the Royal Family are no exception. Watch demonstrations of sugar paste flowers being made ready to top our jubilee cake complete with royal icing - you might even get chance to try your hand yourself - would you be worthy of the royal stamp of approval?
Fifties Fashion
Get those crepe soles, full circle skirts and teddy boy jackets ready as you will have the opportunity to try on some original 50s fashions.
You could even make your own paper doll complete with a wardrobe of fabulous fashions to take home too.
Design a Jubilee Plate
Be inspired by our collection of Jubilee plates from past and present monarchs to help you design your very own. Enter our competition for the chance to have your design made into real plates - which will then be displayed in the Museum.
There are three age categories: under 8s, 8-13 and 14-18.
Bunting for all occasions
Take some time out from the exhibits and create a stretch of bunting to take home with you. This activity is a drop-in session but numbers are strictly limited.
Silver Clay Pendants
12 May, 10am - 3pm
Be inspired by our jewellery collection and make your own silver clay pendant to take home. With jewellery and craft expert Lynne Glazzard.
£45 per person, which includes 7g of art clay silver. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
Victorian Chocolate Making
16 May, 1pm - 3pm
Learn how Victorian chocolates were made, including the art of sugar boiling, a skill at the centre of Victorian confectionery and medicines. Discover how amazing flavours were made in Victorian times that are still enjoyed today, with Sophie Jewett, of Little Pretty Things.
£10 per person. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
An Introduction to English Patchwork
21 May, 10am - 4pm
Take inspiration from our patchwork quilt collection. Qualified tutor Kath Allaway from The Silver Thimble craft workshop will show you how to start your own interpretation of English Patchwork, with a variety of designs and your own colour choice.
If you wish you can even create a miniature version. Suitable for beginners and improvers.
£10 per person (an additional charge will be made for materials, please check when booking). To book, telephone 01904 650333.
Wild Willow Flowers
26 May, 10am - noon
Come and make your own multicoloured willow or cane flowers. Add ribbons and hang them where you can enjoy them or pop them in a pot for year-round colour. With artist Heather Dawe.
£10 per person (an additional charge will be made for materials, please check when booking). To book, telephone York Explore (library) on 01904 552806 or email adult.education@york.gov.uk
Making Museums - Curator's Talk
1 June, 11am - noon
In 1938 Dr Kirk opened York Castle Museum, a new home for his collection. At its heart was Kirkgate, a Victorian street where for the first time museum visitors could step back in time. Kirkgate is seen by the museum world as a crucial landmark in the 'making of museums'.
Using sources from Dr Kirk's personal archive we will explore this fascinating story.
£5 per person. To book place, telephone 01904 650333.
A Victorian lesson
First Saturday of the month, June and July 2012, 11am until noon
Sit up straight or we will be getting the back straighteners out!
You'll be glad to get back to the 21st century after an hour in the schoolroom with our school master or ma'am. Come and sample a 19th century lesson on Kirkgate, our Victorian street, and try your hand at the 3 Rs.
You will write on a slate, use the abacus, practice drill and work on your posture, amongst other things!
£3 per person and suitable for all the family. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
A Tour of Kirkgate
15 June and 6 July, 11am - noon (same tour on both days)
Kirkgate, our Victorian Street, is set between 1870 and 1901, and reflects the stories of the businesses and people of York from that time.
Take a guided tour and hear about the entrepreneur ironmonger John Parkes, proprietor of The Little Dustpan on Fossgate, the extraordinary life of Edward Allen, the Taxidermist, and the everyday experiences of the inhabitants of 'Rowntree Snicket'.
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
George Hudson - Railway King
5 July, 6pm - 7pm
Come and meet 'Railway King' George Hudson, played by actor Chris Cade, in our York Castle Prison cells, and listen to his story. Hudson was instrumental in bringing the railways to York and at the height of his fame was a very rich and powerful man - find out how he came to be held as a prisoner in York's Debtors' Prison.
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
The Archaeology of York Castle
17 July, 1pm - 3.30pm, starting at the Yorkshire Museum
Discover the history of York Castle through objects at the Yorkshire Museum with our curators of archaeology. Then take a walk through the city to see the remains of the castle itself. Part of the CBA Festial of Archaeology (14 - 29 July).
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
1914 - When our World Changed Forever -
Help Shape Our New Exhibition
18 July, 1.30pm - 4.30pm
We are planning an exhibition called The Year the World Changed Forever. It will focus on life in the period 1912 - 1918. The Great War tore into people's lives from 1914, but the period also saw great innovations, great changes and great ideas.
Come and join us for this informal opportunity to share your thoughts:
What interests you about this period?
What would you like to see included in the displays?
What questions would you like to see addressed?
There will be a chance to look at objects and archives and chat to curators. Refreshments provided.
Free, but please book by telephoning 01904 650333.
York Museums Trust Book Club
Second Saturday of the Month, 3pm - 4.30pm, various venues
A Book Club with a difference - all these books have been chosen to highlight aspects of York Museums Trust's historic collections. As well as discussing each month's book, every Book Club session includes an opportunity to handle or get close to collection objects.
Free, but please book by telephoning 01904 650333.
Books, dates and venues
The Millstone by Margaret Drabble
12 May, York Castle Museum
This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson
9 June, Yorkshire Museum
Life Class by Pat Barker
14 July, York Art Gallery
"I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to York Castle Museum this half term. I am a 14-year-old student and have visited York Castle Museum since I was 2 years old. This visit was just as enjoyable as the first and York Castle Museum is still my favourite museum."
Visitor to York Castle Museum
