Our sessions

All our sessions use objects from our collection to tell the stories of the past.

Creative activities develop speaking and listening skills, using history as the main area of study and encouraging cross-curricular links to develop a thematic approach to learning in pre- and post-visit school work. We develop new sessions based on predicted trends, the visitor request, visitor evaluation and temporary exhibitions.  

We believe that the skills and knowledge gained through our sessions help develop confidence in children and young people: they can find the solution to a problem given appropriate support to ask the right questions; they will use different methods to explore solutions to problems; they can be encouraged to see that there is often more than one answer to a problem.

Roman day

Explore the secrets of Roman life through handling real and replica artefacts, march with the Roman Soldier as he shows you round his fortress home and discover the stories of Roman people in the galleries.

Tudor day

Explore the trials and tribulations of Tudor/Stuart life through handling the collection of authentic replica objects and costume, walking the city to discover the buildings and street life of 16th century Chester and delving into the secrets held by archaeology.

Victorian day

Explore the lives of Victorian children in 20 Castle Street through handling real and replica artefacts, helping Mrs Nutting, the Housekeeper, with her daily chores and/or walking the city to discover the grandeur of Victorian Chester.  This session could be booked with a comparison visit to Cheshire Military Museum looking at the lives of soldiers in the Victorian Army.

World War II and the Home Front

Explore the lives of children on the Home Front through joint day with Cheshire Military Museum. Experience the implications of Air Raids and prepare for evacuation by learning the skills of ‘Make Do and Mend’ and how to live with rationing.

Investigating sources KS3

Designed as an outreach session, the pupils develop enquiry skills as they investigate primary and secondary sources through four fun period-linked activities.

Toys from the Past KS1

A half-day session for KS1 children to explore ’Toys from the Past’ and ‘Visit a Museum’. They will play with real and replica toys from 2000 years of history, think about chronology, who played with the toys, materials, groups sets, real/replica, similarities/differences. They will then consider the collections and displays in the galleries and think about how to display their own museum at school.

The story of Professor Newstead

A short session for EYFS. Puppets tell the story of Professor Newstead and his passion for collecting things which the children can track down in the museum.

The influence of the River Dee

A morning session exploring how the changing shape of the River Dee has influenced the lives of Chester people. Objects, maps and activities follow the way people have lived over 2000 years. This could be booked in conjunction with a city tour.

Art and Literacy - Local schools KS1 and KS2

Develop Literacy through exploring the permanent and temporary Art Galleries. Let the art inspire and encourage speaking and listening development, with a menu of activities to choose from.

Medicines and Public Health Through Time KS4

Use objects to explore Public Health (Roman), Cures and Preventatives (Tudor) and Marketing Medicines (Victorian) and consider the implications and contributions to modern medicine.