In 1825 Samuel Wilderspin undertook his first road-trip promoting infant schools in villages, towns and cities across the nation. The 800 mile roundtrip set the pattern of things to come over the next 20 years. Based on his own accounts, this exhibition highlights the challenges of lone travel across the British Isles just as the railway age was dawning. It’s a unique story of ambition and endurance.
This Saturday, 9 August
BYO picnic, and Teddy too, from 11.30 (free) – followed at 12.30 with Storytime (£2) – a thirty minutes session led by museum staff, with time afterwards to roam the museum or follow the Teddy Bear Trail.
Join one of our short guided tours of the Church School and uncover its intriguing story and unique part in the story of Infant education in Britain.
10.30am and 2pm, £3, with refreshments afterwards. Booking not required.
Try our family challenge solving puzzles set by the historical teachers in each of the old classrooms.
10am and 1pm – the sessions last 90 minutes
£3pp or £10 family ticket. Book on (01652) 635172
Family fun, seaside games and trail
Bring teddy too and a picnic to eat in Sam’s garden Playground (or inside if wet!)
We’re prepared for all weathers – come rain or shine!
FREE
11am – 3pm
Sometimes known by names such as ‘riding the stang’ and ‘skimmington rides’, this examination of rough music in the nineteenth century by Andrew Walker provides an insight into the ways in which communities sought to regulate themselves.
7.30pm in the Joseph Wright Hall
Barton Civic Society members free; non-members £4
Two hundred years ago, in 1825, Samual Wilderspin began a mission to set up Infant Schools around the country on behalf of the Infant School Society.
They shared a growing optimism that early intervention could improve the quality of life and alleviate delinquency among the poorest in society, in the expanding industrial towns and in rural communities too.
The Society had been established the year before, in 1824, and commissioned Wilderspin to travel the around the country until such time a Model School could be built in London, and to promote infant education in England.
Travelling on foot, by road and sea Wilderspin responded to enquiries and requests to advise and assist clients throughout the British Isles from his base in London.
Wilderspin’s tours included lectures too.
When the Infant School Society folded in 1828, Wilderspin was forced to rely on his own resources to continue this work independently and promote his own System of Infant Education. He moved to Cheltenham, and with the help of his wife, daughters and travelling agents, he claims to have helped to set up two thousand schools across Britain and Ireland.
One of the books published by Wilderspin was “Early Discipline”, published in 1832, which chronicled his earlier travels and experiences.
Wilderspin’s travels usually involved brief periods of a few weeks, often with return visits to inspect newly established schools which had adopted his System. Lengthier residences included Dublin, Liverpool and Barton upon Humber where his Model School and Playground of 1845 has been restored.
The early promise of a Model School by the fledgling Society, Wilderspin guessed, was just “castles in the air”. Barton, however, delivered what the Infant School Society could not; an opportunity to finally have a Model School to demonstrate a System of infant schooling which he had devised. This is why the restored School has been described by English Heritage as “one of the most important schools in England”.
This year and next, we will be marking the bicentenary of the establishment of the Infant School Society with an exhibition and special events.
We’re planning a trip back to the 1940s in the summer to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
There’ll be live performances in our ENSA theatre, and a tea dance of sorts with swing music and dancing.
Children can experience a lesson in the evacuees’ classroom, immerse themselves in some fun 40s crafty activities and experience life in the Anderson Shelter.
Historic vehicles will fill the car park and there’ll be a NAAFI café in the Playground.
Pop up displays, demonstrations and even some dancing will be the icing on the cake.
It’s happening on Sunday 13 July between 10.30am (not 10.30pm as the leaflet erroneously says!) and 3.30pm, and thanks to funding support from the Town Council and National Lottery Community Fund it’s all FREE!
The Vintage Fair we’d planned as part of the day, though, will not happen due to low interest. Sorry about that!
The car park will not be in use. On street parking is allowed on Sundays and there is a car park at Cottage Lane – a couple of minutes walk away.
Crafts and gift stalls in our indoor Christmas market and Father Christmas in his Victorian grotto.
Pop in for a rest, warm-up and refreshments.
Stalls are available to book by phone (01652) 635172 and email @ wilderpsinschoolmuseum@gmail.com.
11am – 5.30pm, FREE
Friends at Barton return to the Joseph Wright Hall with another great family panto to kick off the Christmas season.
All tickets £5, available to book from October.
Wilderspin National School
Queen Street
Barton-upon-Humber
DN18 5QP
The Wilderspin National School has received help and support from the following organisations:
The Wilderspin National School is an independent museum, registered charity no. 1047187 and a Company Limited by Guarantee no. 2844791.