Poverty and prosperity: Life in Victorian Huddersfield
About the workshop
- Where?: Tolson Museum
- Who?: KS2
- National curriculum area: KS2 History: "A local history study", "a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066".
- Cost: £260 (full day visit from 10am - 2:30pm). Half day visit £155 (2 hours)
While clearing out an old room, our curators stumbled upon an astonishing find - a long-lost letter written by John Ravensknowle to his friend in London! Hidden behind the fireplace for decades, this letter reveals John's glowing opinion of Victorian Huddersfield, describing it as a fantastic place to live. But was it truly great for everyone?
Join us on an immersive journey through time to uncover what life was really like in Victorian Huddersfield. Explore the stories of different people, their challenges, and triumphs, as you decide for yourself whether John's claims hold true for all. Prepare to step into history and unravel the truth behind this fascinating discovery!
What to expect on the day
- Hats off to history: An engaging chronology and timeline activity meeting different people from the past.
- Victorian classroom: Students will experience a Victorian lesson, finding out more about the importance of good behaviour and cleanliness.
- Meet Mary: An interactive story-telling session learning about life for poor children in Huddersfield.
Artefact handling: Students will handle original and replica items to understand life in Victorian Huddersfield.- Have a go: Costumes and peg-doll making.
- Secrets of Tolson Museum: Explore Tolson Museum and discover more about the wealthy Victorian people who lived and worked there.
Learning outcomes
This full day workshop will develop students' substantive knowledge of the period. Students will understand more about daily life in Industrial Britain, comparing this with life today. They will be able to describe the key features of Victorian society, considering the impact of the Industrial Revolution for people in Huddersfield. Through hands-on activities, students will be immersed in the experiences of Victorian children and will use evidence to compare the lives of the rich and poor.
This will be achieved through disciplinary skills, as students take an enquiry-led approach to studying the Victorians. Through handling and discussing real Victorian objects, they will make inferences about daily life in the period, and contextual activities will provide them with a deeper chronological understanding. They will be encouraged to consider different historiographical interpretations of the period.
