Events


The Darker Side of Love

Friday 14 February 2025
7:00pm - 8:00pm 

Local Lichfield storyteller, Christine Genders presents The Darker Side of Love – a set of traditional stories that don’t end “happily ever after”: a storytelling antidote to Valentine's Day romance and red roses. Because we all know that true love doesn’t always last. These are tales that tell what happens when love runs out.

Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets are non-refundable.

Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972.

Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink is served on arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm, latecomers will not be admitted.

Please note - these stories are not suitable for children under the age of 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The event 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 - Sold Out

Wednesday 19 February 2025

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.

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.

 

 


Family Craft Activity

Thursday 20 February 2025

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 is 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.

Places can be booked in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972. 

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.



 


Women's History Walk

Saturday 8 March 2025
2:00pm

 

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Lichfield City Centre on International Women’s Day. This walk explores the lives of women with links to Lichfield across the centuries, showing how they demonstrated agency and achievement.

Meet outside the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum at 2pm. Tickets cost £6 per person. Pre-booking is essential.

Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling 01543 264972.

Please note – we recommend that this talk is not suitable for children under 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please be advised that there will not be any places to sit during the walk. There may be uneven surfaces along the route, so please wear sensible footwear. It is also advisable to dress appropriately for the weather.

 


 

St. Patrick's Day - A Celebration of Irish Tales

Monday 17 March 2025
7:00pm - 8:00pm 

Join multi-award winner and international storyteller Maria Buckley Whatton for an evening of magnificent Irish stories.

Maria is a gifted raconteur renowned for her magical and mesmerising storytelling. Bold warrior women, dark deeds of the “good people” and riotous ribaldry. This is not to be missed.

Maria Buckley Whatton – Outstanding Female Storyteller of Great Britain (British Awards for Storytelling Excellence)

The best storyteller I have seen in years” - audience member Irish Glens Festival 2024.

My favourite Seanchaí. Spellbinding.” - Frank Cottrell Boyce, writer and Children’s Laureate.

Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets are non-refundable.

Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972.
Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, with a complimentary drink served on arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm, latecomers will not be admitted.

Please note - these stories are not suitable for children under the age of 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The event 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 17 April 2025
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 is 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.

Places can be booked in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972. 
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.


 


 

Family Craft Activity

Thursday 29 May 2025

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 is 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.

Places can be booked in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972. 

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.


 


Summer Fun at Sam's House

Thursdays throughout summer
11:00am - 1:00pm 

Dates: Thursday 31 July, Thursday 7 August, Thursday 14 August, Thursday 21 August, Thursday 28 August.

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

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

Booking is 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.

Places can be booked in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972. 
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 316th Birthday Celebrations 

Saturday 20 September 2025

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 25 October 2025

10:30am - 4.30pm

Come and meet the 18th - 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.

 


Tales from Beyond the Grave

Wednesday 29 October 
7:00pm - 8:00pm

 

Local Lichfield storyteller Christine Genders presents a deliciously chilling collection of stories. Join us for tales of ghosts, hauntings, and mysterious occurrences.

Creepy, poignant, even funny – just don’t walk home alone!

Please note - these stories are not suitable for children under the age of 14.

Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink is served on arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm, latecomers will not be admitted. 

Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling 01543 264972.

The event 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.

 


Super Spooky Family Craft Activity

Thursday 30 October
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.

Booking is 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.
Places can be booked in-person at our Bookshop or by calling 01543 264972. 

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.

 

 


Christmas at the Birthplace 

Sunday 7 December 
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. 


Birthplace Writers' Group

 Second Saturday of the month, 2pm

Free friendly and informal writing group; new members welcome.

To find out more, please visit the group's dedicated website here (external site), or alternatively 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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