To celebrate the recent discovery of an Iron Age settlement just behind the Museum of Gloucester, it’s inviting people of all ages to get hands on with history this Saturday 2 July 2022.
With a packed programme of pre-history-inspired activities from bushcraft to blacksmithing, there’s plenty to have a go at, with both ticketed and free events taking place throughout the day…
Making Parfleche envelopes at the Museum of Gloucester
Hosted by international bushcraft experts Axe and Paddle, keen crafters can learn how to make a Parfleche envelope using rawhide decorated with natural pigments, inspired by Native American traditions.
This masterclass will explain some of the techniques involved in manufacturing rawhide, as well as showing attendees how to cut, shape and decorate their own envelope using handmade bone brushes, using the museum’s collection to inspire their design.
Tickets cost £25 each with sessions taking place at 10am, 12pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm on the Bowling Green behind the Museum of Gloucester.
Iron Age painting at the Museum of Gloucester
Showing participants how colour is extracted from minerals, how to mix paint and how to make paintbrushes from foraged materials, in this Iron Age-inspired painting session, Pario Gallico challenges the common myth that coloured paints weren’t widely available until Roman times.
Attendees will also get to put their new-found knowledge to the test, mixing their own pigments and crafting their own brushes to take home.
Tickets cost £20 per person with sessions taking place at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm on the Bowling Green behind the Museum of Gloucester.
Charms and remedies at the Museum of Gloucester
In Saxon times, the area we know as Gloucestershire and the Midlands was known as Hwicce – and its residents grew and gathered herbs and plants for medical healing and magic. In this session designed for children aged seven to 14, participants can learn all about these ancient remedies.
With expert host Elizabeth Roper drawing on archaeological records and early written sources, visitors can discover Gloucestershire’s unique flora and fauna; some of the charms and cures used in the early Saxon era; and make their own pouch of gathered and annotated herbs to take home.
Tickets cost £15 with sessions taking place at 10am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm on the Bowling Green behind the Museum of Gloucester. Please note, this session is only available for children aged seven to 14-years-old.
Blacksmithing demonstrations at the Museum of Gloucester
Get a glimpse at how tools were made 2,000 years ago with live blacksmithing demonstrations from Big Benyons Blacksmithing.
See professional blacksmith and heritage knife maker, Tom Timbrell, forge items in front of the audience’s eyes, answering questions and dispelling myths about ancient blacksmiths as he goes.
Blacksmithing demonstrations are free to attend with no need to book tickets and take place at various times between 10am and 6pm.
Storytelling sessions at the Museum of Gloucester
Telling tales of famous female deities from around the world, Dr Janina Ramirez reads from her book Goddess throughout the day on Saturday 2 July 2022.
From gentle healers to fierce warriors, wise leaders to mystical protectors, children can learn all about these wonderful women and be inspired to cultivate their qualities in themselves.
Storytelling sessions are free to attend with no need to book tickets and take place at various times between 10am and 6pm.
Iron Age history at the Museum of Gloucester
Join city archaeologist Andrew Armstrong as he shares some of the amazing findings from the Iron Age settlement recently discovered in Gloucester, from domestic pottery to a roundhouse.
See some of the archaeological materials on display – including a replica of the Museum of Gloucester’s internationally-significant Birdlip Mirror – with various free sessions taking place from 10am to 6pm.
Roman history at the Museum of Gloucester
Rachel Hathaway explores Roman Gloucester through objects and crafts in these free sessions taking place throughout Saturday 2 July 2022.
As well as trying out some traditional Roman crafts, she’ll also be sharing what we can learn about real people from the tombstones and tablets left behind from ancient Glevum.
Roman Gloucester sessions take place at various times between 10am and 6pm and are available to attend by donation, with no need to book in advance.
In partnership with The Museum of Gloucester | museumofgloucester.co.uk
