Our Visit to Ripon Museums

Our Visit to Ripon Museums
We were allowed
to touch the old
police equipment.
We acted out a case in the
Victorian Courthouse – Joe was sent
to Australia for stealing bread!
We’ve finished our
Bread and cheese!
What’s next?
We learned the rules
of the Workhouse
quickly with Matron
teaching us!
To cure toothache,
rub with cloves...
The school mistress used a
cane and wouldn’t let Sara
write with her left hand!
WHAT?!
The Victorians had
some funny ideas!
Punishments were very
severe in Victorian times –
whipping or being pelted
with dung in the pillory!
... she set us straight
to work in the
laundry.
... they were good at
recycling though – we
made a rag rug piece to
take home.
Living History for KS2
At Ripon Museums
KS2 Programme at Ripon Museums
Programme Overview:
Programme Overview:
We like to be adaptable and work with teachers to tailor visits to their requirements.
Below are some suggestions of programmes we have run successfully:
Life as a Victorian – a whole day including: 4 activities at the Workhouse,
2 activities at the Prison and Police Museum and reenacting a Victorian trial at the Courthouse Museum
Life in the Workhouse – a whole day or a morning at the Workhouse
and Workhouse Garden, with 4 activities in the
morning and 2 in the afternoon.
Upper KS2:
Crime and Justice Through the Ages – guided tours with hands on
activities as you go
Victorian Crime and Justice – whole day or morning – re-enact a
modern and a Victorian trial to explore the differences
in procedures and sentences and explore the roles
and responsibilities of the Victorian police constable
and the harsh regime of the Victorian prison system.
Activities to choose from:
WORKHOUSE MUSEUM AND GARDEN:
Introduction – a very stern matron will welcome you and explain the rules of the
workhouse. She will be very strict with the children. Please warn them!
Role- play – a family enters the workhouse- why? And what will happen to them?
Laundry – learn how hard it was washing without electricity using a poss tub and
mangle.
The Victorian School Room – the Victorian School Mistress instructs children in the
three ‘r’s’ (including slates and pen and ink), singing and drill (weather
permitting).
Granny’s Cures – learn how poor people helped themselves when sick using
herbs from the garden and household items… some peculiar and some very
sensible solutions!
Rag Rugging – find out why recycling was so important to the Victorians and
make a rag rug square to take home.
The Workhouse Garden – undertake the tasks boys would have done in the
Victorian workhouse kitchen garden. Many would have been apprenticed to
farmers at the age of 12 and this would have been excellent training.
Explore and Draw session in the Guardians’ room: Victorian Families Rich and
Poor - use our handling collection to explore how different the lives of rich
and poor families were in Victorian times.
COURTHOUSE MUSEUM:
Take part in a court case and decide on a suitably severe punishment for those
found guilty…
A Loaf of Bread . . . - an historical case suitable for lower Key Stage 2.
Summary of an historical trial case dated 1830 involving a twelve year old boy who
has been accused of theft. The accused pleads not guilty.
Sample of the script :Mr Peter Parnaby : 'I saw the lad creeping around my stall. When I was busy he
grabbed a loaf of bread and shoved it up his jacket. He ran off and I shouted "stop
thief." I am an honest man Sir, - and it was good bread.'
The case of the Stolen Horse and Cart. . . - an historical case suitable for upper Key
Stage 2. A horse and cart mysteriously appeared in William Stokes’ yard on a misty
February morning. Did William, the defendant, steal it and put it there?
Examine the evidence from the witnesses, William’s motive and alibi; help the jury
to come to a verdict and help the Magistrate to deliver the sentence.
PRISON AND POLICE MUSEUM:
Introduction – Meet Peeler 61 in the prison yard to learn about corporal
punishments for children in Victorian times then divide into groups looking at:
The Punishment of Victorian Children – what is transportation? What was it like in a
Victorian prison cell ? What was the food and the work like – find out first hand!
The Victorian Constable – explore briefly the history of policing through displays and
the museum handling collection.
A more general tour covering the History of Crime and Punishment is also available
for those wanting to cover more than just the Victorian period.
Access to Museums:
The Workhouse and Prison and Police Museums have full access for wheelchair
users including a lift to the first floor. The Courthouse does not have wheelchair
access and the floor levels are stepped in the courtroom itself. The Prison and
Police Museum has small spaces (cells!), tight corners and uneven floors and stairs.
Care should be taken by all when moving around the museum.
Booking and Pricing Information:
Please make enquiries about booking a visit with Sue Mackay (Learning and
Access Officer) or Shirley Hayward (Group Bookings Assistant) at the Workhouse
Museum Office on 01765 690799 or at learning@riponmuseums.co.uk.
For a whole day of guided activities, the price is £6 per pupil (teachers and other
adult supervisors free). The price for half a day is £4.
Pre-visits from teachers (strongly advised) are free of charge. Please book in
advance with the office.
Preparation Essentials:
Please make sure you tell us about any pupils with special educational needs so
that we are well prepared to help you on the day. The role play at the Workhouse
and the re-enactments at the Courthouse rely on children’s reading abilities.
Please discuss reading levels with staff in advance.
For visits involving two or more museums, all accompanying adults should be
made familiar with the map (at the end of the pack) and lead teachers will need
to risk assess the route between museums.
Children must be well supervised with one adult from school with each group plus
a floating teacher (preferably the lead teacher) in case of toilet trips, accidents or
emergencies. Volunteers leading activities should not be left in sole charge of the
pupils at any time.
Ensuring pupils behave with respect during their visit is the school’s responsibility.
Volunteers will stop delivering their activity if they feel pupils’ behaviour is
disrupting the session.
Risk assessment guidelines are given at the end of the pack. Please read them
and ask for further details if you are unsure of anything.
Lunch and Costume:
It enhances the visit to have everybody in role and in costume (including staf!).
Guidelines for children’s costumes are given on a sample letter to children and
parents given at the end of the pack.
PLEASE ENSURE CHILDREN ALSO HAVE COATS as some activities are held outside
and children will need to walk between museums.
Lunches should also be appropriate to a Victorian child, if possible. Guidelines
again in the letter at the end of the pack. We will supply a drink of water in an
enamel mug for lunch.
Lunches and coats will be left in a safe location at the entrance to each museum.
Parking:
Coaches should park on the Victoria Grove Coach Park, c. 300m from any of the
museums (see map below).
City Centre Map Showing Museums and Parking:
1. The Obelisk
6. The Courthouse
Museum
2. Town Hall
7. Cathedral
3. Cell
8. The Prison & Police
Museum
4. Ripon Lock-Up
5. Tourist Information
9. The Workhouse
C. Coach Park
You are hereby invited by the
Matron
Matron and Master of Ripon Workhouse…
To live a day in the life of a poor Victorian child
in our three unique historic buildings:
• Ripon Workhouse Museum
• The Prison and Police Museum
• The Courthouse Museum
Please come dressed appropriately for the day
if you can:
Boys – shirt, waistcoat, cravat/scarf, trousers tucked into long socks
Girls – long skirt, apron, shawl, mobcap
Don’t forget to bring a coat!
Please bring an appropriate lunch:
Simple food – sandwich, cakes, fruit (English ones like apple
or pear are best).
Traditional packaging – greaseproof paper, tin
We will give you a drink of water.
We look forward to welcoming you to Ripon
Master of Ripon Workhouse