Events


Festive Light Night

Sunday 1 December 2024 (rescheduled from 24 November)
3:30pm-6:00pm

Enjoy a warm welcome and a fantastic view of the Market Square from the Birth Room.

Free family craft activity from 3:30pm-5:00pm.

Festive refreshments for sale throughout the evening.  

Purchase Christmas cards, stocking fillers, and gifts for book lovers in our Bookshop. Open until 6:00pm.  


 

 


Christmas at the Birthplace

Sunday 1 December 2024

11:00am-3:30pm

Get into the festive spirit with a day of storytelling, craft activities, family trails, and music. Come and see the Museum decorated for Christmas, enjoy a mince pie and glass of mulled wine, and buy a last-minute gift from our fabulous Bookshop. 


The War of the Three Kingdoms

Wednesday 15 January 2025

7:00pm-8:00pm

Civil wars are violent, transformative, and shocking events which ripple through a nation and its people. In the 1630s the first stirrings of war rang out in Scotland, but quickly spread through Ireland, England and Wales in a series of conflicts which brought death and destruction to a largely peaceful populace. However, during a war which affected everyone in both Britain and Ireland, and which spread across the world, the heaviest fighting and the heaviest load fell upon the ‘disputed’ land in the middle.

Birmingham, a firm centre of support for Parliament, and Coventry, famous as a place which captured Royalists were held, were surrounded by supporters for the King and dozens of garrisons were spread through what is now the West Midlands, whilst Lichfield changed hands on three occasions and Dudley Castle was a firm centre of royal power.

In this lecture, Rik Sowden will focus on events and characters which impacted on the Midlands during a period whose shadow is cast long and whose echoes can be felt today.

Tickets cost £10 per person. Tickets can be purchased online here, in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling 01543 264972.Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets are non-refundable. 

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.

Please note – we recommend that this talk is not suitable for children under 12. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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.


 Image above - British Library Image: B20037-09

 

18th-Century Women's Fashion and Revolution

Wednesday 19 February 2024

7:00pm-8:00pm

Join us for an exploration of Women's fashion from the second half of the 18th century.

For this fascinating one-hour talk, British fashion designer, Gemma Thompson, will delve into the history of women’s clothing in the 1700s.

This is a unique opportunity to hear how these luxurious garments were made and how fashion was influenced by the age of revolution. See Gemma get dressed in the iconic robe à l'anglaise.

Tickets cost £10 per person. Tickets can be purchased online here, in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling 01543 264972.

Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets are non-refundable.

Please note – we recommend that this talk is not suitable for children under 12. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

 

 


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. 

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Sir, all intellectual improvement arises from leisure...Quotation mark


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