Backstage in The Gage

Short talks will be given by one of our collections team on a range of objects from our stores. This is a great opportunity to see and hear about objects that are not on display and engage with the collection up close. An informal session in our Gage collections room, where we are happy to chat and answer questions.

***As it is the summer holidays this session will be suitable for children***

Come find out about school life in the early 1900s. What did they study? What was school life like? Why are there so many absences? We will look at a school log book written from 1890 to 1909 in Broadwell in the Forest of Dean. This school was built in 1863 and closed in 1977. The book is written diary style covering a multitude of daily events and activities: school lessons, staff, examinations, pupil behaviour, redecorating, children's' absence, holidays, illnesses, vicar's visit and more. The book gives us real insight into school and children's lives at the turn of the 19th century and is by turns serious, touching, surprising and funny.

This talk is included in the price of admission, or £4 for the talk.

If you would like to book lunch before the talk, please contact the coffee shop.