Secrets of Dress

Our fashion gallery has been refreshed, remodelled and enhanced with new items and fresh interpretations!

Not just an exhibition about fashion, ‘Secrets of Dress’ offers an opportunity to look at dress and textiles from the perspective of social history, exploring the stories that clothes and accessories can reveal about peoples’ lives and experiences. Every object has a secret to tell and ‘Secrets of Dress’ provides insights into ways of life that are very different to today and yet very relatable.

1914: When the World Changed Forever

The terror of total war and its revolutionary impact on life around the world is explored in this major exhibition marking the centenary of the First World War featuring objects from our military, costume and social history collections. Find out more.

Kirkgate: The Victorian Street

Our world-famous Victorian street reopened in June 2012 with more to see and explore of the life of the rich and poor – with new backstreets, authentic York businesses and thousands more goods on display. Find out more.

York Castle Prison

York Castle Museum is housed in 18th century prison buildings.  Now you can get a flavour of what life was really like in the original cells and see some of the most infamous inmates brought to life in this fascinating exhibition. Find out more.

The Sixties

This exhibition uses fascinating and iconic objects from our social history, art, fashion, military and astronomy collections to bring back the atmosphere of change which swept over the country during the 1960’s. Find out more.