Blogs & News

: Dressing the Victorian Lady – The Unmentionables

Join us for an informative and entertaining talk from Margo Singer and Polly MacLeod on Dressing the Victorian Lady, starting with 'the unmentionables'. In this first session, Margo and Polly will talk through and show examples of the kind of underwear Victorian women wore. You'll learn the differences between a chemise and shift, how drawers were constructed and decorated, and the materials used to make stockings. The session will finish by examining crinolines and petticoats, covering the fabric, decorations

: Dressing the Victorian Lady – Keeping Warm in Bed

Join us for an informative and entertaining talk from Margo Singer and Polly MacLeod on Dressing the Victorian Lady, focusing on how the Victorian lady kept warm at night. In this session, Margo and Polly will talk through and show examples of nightwear, as well as looking at quilting and quilts used to keep warm at night in the nineteenth-century. This session will also include examples of quilting patterns, and the Manchester Quilt made by The Elizabeth Gaskell's House

: Children’s Interactive Poetry Show

Join award-winning performance poet, Dominic Berry, for an afternoon of poetry, fun and laughter in this family-friendly interactive poetry show: Spark, The Goblin Wizard. Join in the wild rhyming and playful poetry to bring the story alive. Suitable for families with children aged 5+ Usual admission plus £1 for under 16s.  Booking recommended. The show runs from 1-3pm, so please join us at 1pm to join in the fun. Dominic Berry is an internationally award-winning performance poet. He was 2017 Glastonbury Festival

: Servant School

Calling all Hetty Feather fans! Come and learn how to be a Victorian servant, just like Hetty. Our House servants, Hearn and Margaret, are on the loose again. They’ll put you to work on some light servant duties, so you can earn your Servant School Certificate. To find out more about servants at Elizabeth Gaskell's House you can also see our new exhibition - Household Commotion (included in admission) Drop in, no need to book. Usual admission plus

: Make Your Own Book

Be Awesome! Be a book nut! Dr Seuss Prepare to get creative! Learn some basic bookmaking skills in our hands-on workshop and take home a book made and decorated by you. Drop in, no need to book. Usual admission plus £1 for under 16s.