York Castle Museum

Adult Learning Events

Browse through our events or skip to the following headings - Workshops, Lectures and Tours and York Museums Trust Book Club.

For full details of all York Museums Trust adult learning, download our 2011/12 brochure.

Workshops, Lectures and Tours

Introduction to Hooky Rag Rugs
21 and 22 April, 10am - 1pm

Back by popular demand! Expert York-based rag rug artists Louise and Lewis Creed guide you through starting your own hooky rag rug. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from the masters!

£8 per person for one day - payable on the day to the artists. To book, telephone 01904 650333.

An Introduction to Crewel Embroidery
23 April, 10am - 4pm

Take inspiration from our wonderful collection of Crewel Embroidery. Join qualified tutor Nicola Hulme from The Silver Thimble craft workshop, who will show you how to stitch a Jacobean flower design to take away. Learn a variety of interesting and traditional stitches using Appleton's crewel wool and linen twill. Perfect for beginners and improvers.

£10 per person (an additional charge will be made for materials, please check when booking). To book, telephone 01904 650333.

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, September to December 2011 and 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

As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann
11 February, York Castle Museum

Dry Store Room No 1 by Richard Fortey
10 March, Yorkshire Museum

Headlong by Michael Frayn
14 April, York Art Gallery

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