Events
Click on the following sections to skip to the area you are interested in: Studios (daily demonstrations and activities, new for 2008), Kirkgate Characters (summer holiday fun in our Victorian street) and Carols in Kirkgate.
Spring 2008 saw the opening of three new studios at York Castle Museum which have been built and designed to host demonstrations, activities and events. Each studio is in a different area of the museum and has a different theme. Come and see them for yourself!
Butter Making - in the Kitchen Studio
17 - 20 June, 3 - 8 July
10am - 4.30pm
Find out about the science behind butter making and examine our historic butter-making equipment up close. Watch butter being made and shaped and lend a hand with churning. Investigate the moulds and patterns used to decorate butter.
Dressing a Victorian Lady - in the Costume and Textiles Studio
14 July - 31 August
10am - 4.30pm
Uncover some of the wardrobe secrets of Victorian ladies. What were combinations for? How were clothes cleaned? Why did ladies wear corsets? You can even try a corset on and discover what it felt like to be a follower of fashion in the Victorian era.
The Art of Ice Cream - in the Kitchen Studio
19 July - 31 August
10am - 4.30pm
Find out about the history of ice cream - who invented the first ice creams and how they were made in the past. Watch us transform it into weird and wonderful shapes using traditional ice cream moulds and marvel at fabulous flavours - past and present.
You can also enter our summer competition to design your own flavour. The winning entry will be made up by Yorvale Ice Cream, of Acaster Malbis, near York.
Dressed for Action - in the Military Studio
19 July - 14 September
10am - 4.30pm
Explore how and why soldiers' uniforms have evolved over the past three hundred years. Using a selection of replica and real items from our collections, visitors can try on the uniforms to get a real feel for how they have developed through time to be both impressive in appearance and practical.
Summer holiday fun - 4 - 25 August
Every day, all day
Meet costumed characters in our recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, each eager to give you an insight into their daily lives. Each week sees two different characters taking up residence in the street, all with a story to tell.
A Life of Crime
4 - 10 August
Join our constable on his patrols through the street and investigate life in York's early police force. Be warned, however, that Kirkgate is also home to a known rogue and petty criminal. But is he just the victim of social injustice? You be the judge!
Front lines and washing lines
11 - 17 August
Meet our army officer, promoting the glory of life in the service of Her Majesty's Empire. Is he telling the whole truth when encouraging new recruits? Nearby is the residence of a lowly washer-woman, struggling on with her daily toil. Discover her secret, which may bring her into conflict with the army officer...
A Grand Tour
18 - 25 August
Newly arrived in her horse-drawn coach our Victorian lady is keen to discover the latest delights in Kirkgate's shops. Her coachman is less optimistic. Times and transport are changing, and with access to her ladyship's personal baggage, will desperate times call for desperate measures?
Dates for your diary...
8pm, Tuesday to Saturday, 2 - 6 December, and Tuesday, 9 December, 2008.
Make a note of this year's dates for our extremely popular annual carol concert. Each year members of York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir and the Kirkgate Singers dress in period costume in our recreated Victorian street to give a nostalgic performance of traditional Christmas music.
Tickets, priced £12 for adults, and £10 for concessions (including a complimentary programme) will go on sale from our admissions desk on Monday, 6 October, and by telephone from Tuesday, 7 October.
"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
