Date: Monday 25 March 2019, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

When we look back to past ages, we tend to think of women tight laced into restrictive prisons of whalebone and steel – but was that really the case? How did corsets come about? Did women always tight lace? Did everyone always wear them? And what were they really for?

Join Assistant Curator of Costume and Textiles Dr Faye Prior for an intimate examination of the corset, from its beginnings in the stiffened bodices of the Tudor period, to the waist-length stays of the eighteenth century, and the explosion of different designs and ideas in the industrial age.

Learn how corsets first came about, why people wore them, and examine some real historical corsets from the collection of York Castle Museum. Part of York Fashion Week 2019.

This event costs £5 per person and museum admission applies. Click here to book your place.

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Date: Tuesday 26 March 2019, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday for a free talk from 12pm. The subject will vary but will relate to one of the displays in the museum.

Included in admission, no need to book.

Please note that as these talks are volunteer-led, we cannot guarantee that they will always take place. Please ring ahead on 01904 687687 or check with our Welcome Team on arrival in case of cancellation.

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Date: Thursday 28 March 2019, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Early Years Explorers – Activities for children aged two to five years old which include songs, stories, games and craft activities.

Sessions are based on familiar preschool play areas, which are enhanced to help children learn about the museum’s collections and exhibitions through play.

Sessions are a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which all relate to the Early Years curriculum.

At this Shops session, play in the shop role play area, be the shop keeper or do the shopping and find the shops on Kirkgate.

Sessions are FREE for kids, museum admission applies for adults* – click here to book through Eventbrite.

*Free entry for adults with a YMT Card – 12 months of unlimited access to all York Museums Trust sites.

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Date: Thursday 28 March 2019, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday for a free talk from 12pm. The subject will vary but will relate to one of the displays in the museum.

Included in admission, no need to book.

Please note that as these talks are volunteer-led, we cannot guarantee that they will always take place. Please ring ahead on 01904 687687 or check with our Welcome Team on arrival in case of cancellation.

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Date: Thursday 28 March 2019, 2:00 pm - 2:20 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Join us as our curators share their research about objects from the extensive York Castle Museum collections, revealing ‘stories from our stores’ – some familiar, some untold, and some unexpected.

This talk lasts around 20 minutes and is followed by an opportunity for questions.

It’s free with your museum admission. There’s no need to book.

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Date: Friday 29 March 2019, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Join us to explore the work and influences of Dame Vivienne Westwood, one of Britain’s most eccentric, controversial and consistently original designers.

By exploring key themes in her design – the use of bold graphics, the inter-relationship with music, a devotion to history – this talk will chart Westwood’s progress from iconoclastic outsider to an internationally revered figure.

Drawing on iconic Westwood designs seen in the exhibition A Personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Shoes, find out more about how the designer’s work, from the ‘Seditionaries’ boots worn by The Sex Pistols to the ‘Super Elevated Gillie’ that caused Naomi Campbell to tumble on a Paris catwalk, have established her reputation for leading where others can only follow.

£5 per person. Museum admission applies. Click here to book through Eventbrite.

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Date: Tuesday 2 April 2019, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday for a free talk from 12pm. The subject will vary but will relate to one of the displays in the museum.

Included in admission, no need to book.

Please note that as these talks are volunteer-led, we cannot guarantee that they will always take place. Please ring ahead on 01904 687687 or check with our Welcome Team on arrival in case of cancellation.

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Date: Tuesday 2 April 2019, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Do you think the European Union is a tired teabag ready for the bin or a perfectly blended cup of the good stuff?

Either way, we’d like to invite you to our community-focused event here at York Castle Museum – Brexit Café.

The event aims to help build bridges between those on either side of the emotive Brexit debate and look for common ground among the contrasting opinions.

It will be hosted by Helen Snelson from the Education Department of the University of York, with five different questions being asked at five different tables.

Guests will chat to each other and members of the York Museums Trust team, before moving onto the next area for debate.

The event is taking place on Tuesday 2 April, 3pm-4:30pm and is free to all.  Click here to book your free place.

The event is in association with the new exhibition at York Castle Museum: the Museum of Broken Relationships.

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Date: Thursday 4 April 2019, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Venue: York Castle Museum

Early Years Explorers – activities for children aged two to five years old which include songs, stories, games and craft activities.

Sessions are based on familiar preschool play areas, which are enhanced to help children learn about the museum’s collections and exhibitions through play.

They’re a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which all relate to the Early Years curriculum.

At this Chocolate and Sweet Treats session – play in the chocolate shop role play area and listen to the chocolate story.

Sessions are FREE for kids, museum admission applies for adults* – click here to book through Eventbrite.

*Free entry for adults with a YMT Card – 12 months of unlimited access to all York Museums Trust sites.

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Date: Thursday 4 April 2019, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Venue: York Castle Museum

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday for a free talk from 12pm. The subject will vary but will relate to one of the displays in the museum.

Included in admission, no need to book.

Please note that as these talks are volunteer-led, we cannot guarantee that they will always take place. Please ring ahead on 01904 687687 or check with our Welcome Team on arrival in case of cancellation.

View event >