Knaresborough is to host a community history festival over the jubilee weekend to give people a taste of what can be expected at the town’s new museum
The festival will take place at Knaresborough House next week from 10am to 4:30pm each day from Thursday to Saturday.
Knaresborough Museum Association has organised the event ahead of the launch of the town’s museum in February next year.
The museum will be in the old Castle Girl’s School, near Knaresborough Castle.
The history festival will display artefacts from the museum’s eight exhibition zones, including a model railway of the town centre, fossils dating back 350 million years and a Victorian scrapbook showing Knaresborough’s celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.
Chairperson of the association, Kathy Allday, said:
“This is a vital stepping stone to the museum’s opening, and I’m so delighted we have reached this stage.
“We’ve uncovered some hidden history while unearthing the treasured artefacts, which will help us build the museum’s displays and show off this town’s fascinating past.”
A medieval tradition will be revived for the three-day festival, whereby a scribe will create a unique manuscript from any confessions and pledges visitors put forward. The festival will also include:
- A four-metre long model railway showing Knaresborough town centre, including its viaduct and railway station
- Two one-metre wide paintings by local artist and fossil specialist James McKay
- Demonstrations of heritage crafts, including medieval manuscript writing, leather working and rag rugging
- Fossils dating back 350 million years and prehistoric artefacts found in people’s gardens
- An architectural design model showing the entire museum in 3D
- A special Jubilee display including a Victorian bound scrapbook showing all the festivities in Knaresborough in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
- A Victorian school-themed children’s play area, including Victorian desks and chalk boards, materials, historic dressing up clothes and opportunities to create your own family crest and Victorian potion bottle.
- Separate displays across the three days from local community groups including Renaissance Knaresborough, the rotary club, the Royal British Legion, The Historical Society, First Responders, the Civic Society, and the Claro Group, who’ve produced historic books about Knaresborough.
There will also be free guided walks around Knaresborough’s historic centre at 11am and 2pm on each day of the event. These are bookable in advance via the KMA website or by emailing [email protected]
The museum has been funded by donations from local businesses and individuals, with more than £47,000 being raised so far.
Once open, it will use its flexible exhibition space to run workshops and events for schools and community groups.
