Coming Soon - Birthplace Bookworms

Book club and crafting for families every other Saturday at 10:30am - dates announced soon!

Join us for some reading and crafting with our Birthplace Bookworms! We read a new book every few weeks, with children taking it in turns to read aloud (not compulsory) followed by a craft activity inspired by the book. 

Sessions cost £3.50 per child, accompanying adults are free. 

The books are aimed at children aged 7 to 11 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Current book: The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd

Dates: coming soon

[sessions in March and April cancelled due to essential building works].

You can book and pay in person at the museum's bookshop, or by calling 01543 264972. 

This event takes place upstairs. Due to the building's Grade I listed status we do not have a lift.  

SOLD OUT 

Gentlemen’s Relish – The Hidden Side of Georgian England

Wednesday 24 April 2024 7:00pm-8:00pm 

Our popular guest speaker Sheelagh James will be exploring the complex underworld of sex workers in 18^th century England. 

This humorous and informative one-hour talk is not to be missed!

Please note - discussion of some sexual terms will feature in this talk. This event is suitable for adults (over 18s) only.

Tickets cost £10 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. To book please telephone 01543 264972. 

Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, a complimentary hot drink is served upon arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm, latecomers will not be admitted.

The talk will take place on the first floor of the museum, which can only be accessed by stairs. Due to the building’s Grade I listed status we are unable to install a lift.

An Easy Introduction to Dancing by George Bickham. © British Library from the British Library archive. Shelfmark: K.2.d.20 plate 5.

 Dancing in Georgian Britain – A History of 18^th Century Dance  

Wednesday 22 May 2024 7:00pm-8:00pm

Join us for a fascinating talk exploring the various styles of dance in Georgian Britain.

Our guest speakers, Kathryn and David Wright, have been dancing together for over 50 years, and are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about 18^th century dance.

This entertaining and informative one-hour talk is not to be missed!

Please note – we recommend that this talk is suitable for those aged 16 and above.

Tickets cost £10 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. You can book online here, pay in person at the museum’s bookshop, or by calling 01543 264 972.

Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, a complimentary hot drink is served upon arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm, latecomers will not be admitted.

The talk will take place on the first floor of the museum, which can only be accessed by stairs. Due to the building’s Grade I listed status we are unable to install a lift.

Family Craft Activity

Thursday 30 May 2024 from 11:00am-1:00pm

Join us between 11am and 1pm for a hands-on family craft activity.

£2 per child for the craft activity, accompanying adults free. 

Booking not essential, drop-ins welcome, however our craft sessions are extremely popular so you may wish to pre-book by visiting our bookshop to secure your place.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Entrance to the Museum is free and we have lots of fun free activities including quill pen writing, colouring-in, and costume to try on.

Life, Letters, and Literature – An Interactive Workshop

Friday 7 June 2024 11:00am-1:00pm

Join Emma Stanbridge (Keele University) for a free workshop on the eighteenth-century writer, Anna Seward. A chance to view Seward’s letters, the draft of her poem, Telemachus, and her notes in the books she owned, this interactive workshop will explore Seward’s identities as a reader, writer, and correspondent.

This workshop is for anyone who wishes to learn more about Seward or has interests in book history, manuscripts, textual editing, and eighteenth-century literature.

This workshop is open to all. No prior knowledge or preparation required.

Booking is essential. To book, please telephone 01543 264972, or book in-person at the museum’s bookshop.

We recommend that this event is most suited to those aged 16 and above.

Please note that the workshop will take place on the first floor of the museum, which can only be accessed by stairs. Due to the building’s Grade I listed status we are unable to install a lift.

Tea with Mrs. Thrale...?

RESCHEDULED to Saturday 15th June 2024 4:30pm-6:00pm

The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum will be hosting a special event written and performed by popular local storyteller Christine Genders.

Christine Genders transforms into Hester Piozzi, the 18^th century diarist, poet, author, and great friend of Samuel Johnson. Piozzi’s writings provide a fascinating insight into the experiences of women during this period.

Pre-booking is essential for this extremely popular theatrical performance.

Tickets cost £9 per person. A cup of tea or coffee is included in the ticket price.

Doors open at 4:30pm, the performance starts at 5:00pm and lasts approximately 1 hour.

We recommend that this event is most suited to those aged 14 and above. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

You can book online here, pay in person at the museum’s bookshop, or by calling 01543 264 972.

Please note that the performance will take place on the first floor of the museum, which can only be accessed by stairs. Due to the building’s Grade I listed status we are unable to install a lift.

Summer Fun at Sam’s House

Thursdays throughout summer 2024 11:00am-1:00pm– dates listed below

Join us between 11am and 1pm for a hands-on family craft activity.

Dates: Thursday 25 July, Thursday 1 August, Thursday 8 August, Thursday 15 August, Thursday 22 August, Thursday 29 August.

£2 per child for the craft activity, accompanying adults free. There is a new activity each week.

Booking not essential, drop-ins welcome, however our craft sessions are extremely popular so you may wish to pre-book by visiting our bookshop to secure your place.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Entrance to the Museum is free and we have lots of fun free activities including quill pen writing, colouring-in, and costume to try on.

Samuel Johnson’s 315^th Birthday Celebrations

Saturday 21 September 2024 10:30am-4:30pm

Celebrate Samuel Johnson’s Birthday with lots of fun free activities throughout the day including family crafts, storytelling, and music.

Meet the Barber Surgeon  

Saturday 19 October 2024 from 10:30am-4:30pm

Come and meet the 18^th century Barber Surgeon! Find out about his medicine and cures from the past. Hear how herbs, leeches, and frogs were used to treat the sick. See his gruesome tools of the trade and hear about bloodletting and amputation!

This is a fun free event, suitable for families, booking not essential.  

Entrance to the Museum is free, donations are most welcome.

Super Spooky Family Craft Activity

Thursday 31 October 2024 from 11:00am-1:00pm

Join us between 11am and 1pm for a Halloween themed hands-on family craft activity.

£2 per child for the craft activity, accompanying adults free. There is a new activity each week.

Booking not essential, drop-ins welcome, however our craft sessions are extremely popular so you may wish to pre-book by visiting our bookshop to secure your place.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Entrance to the Museum is free and we have lots of fun free activities including quill pen writing, colouring-in, and costume to try on.

Birthplace Writers' Group

 Second Saturday of the month, 2pm

Free friendly and informal writing group; new members welcome.

Please contact us on 01543 264972, email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk, or pop in and enquire about availability at the museum's bookshop.