Monthly Archives: April 2025

Travels & Travails

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.

Posted on:27th April 2025

Blood, Tears, Toil & Sweat

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 a vintage fair, nostalgic films in a wartime cinema and live performances in our ENSA theatre.

Children can experience a lesson in the evacuees’ classroom immerse themselves in some fun 40s crafty activities.

Historic vehicles will fill the car park and there’ll be a NAFI 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 10.30pm and 3.30pm, and thanks to funding support from the Town Council and National Lottery Community Fund it’s all FREE!

Stalls for the Vintage Fair can be booked now (01652) 635172 or wilderspinschoolmuseum@gmail.com.

Posted on:25th April 2025

Wilderspin Christmas Fair

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

Posted on:25th April 2025

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

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.

Posted on:25th April 2025

Museums at Night Quiz


Doors open at 6.30pm for heads down at 7pm.

£2pp please book if you can – or drop in on the night.

Posted on:25th April 2025

Victorian Barton Tour

Discover the town’s fascinating legacy of Victorian buildings in this guided walk (90 minutes) beginning and ending at Wilderspin School Museum – with refreshments at the end of the tour.

2pm, FREE, Booking required (01652) 635172

Posted on:24th April 2025

The Wilderspin Story guided tours

Discover why this is “one of the most important schools in England”.

45 minute guided tour.

11am  & 1pm, FREE, Booking required (01652) 635172

Posted on:24th April 2025

Rail 200 – British Transport Films

As part of national celebrations to  mark the bicentenary of the world’s first public railway between Stockton and Darlington, we’ve joined with Friends of the Barton Line and Barton Civic Society to host a nostalgic look at films from the British Film Archive with one of its former archivists, Barry Coward.  

7.30pm, FREE

Posted on:24th April 2025

Victorian Barton Tour

Discover the town’s fascinating legacy of Victorian buildings in this guided walk (90 minutes) beginning and ending at Wilderspin School Museum – with refreshments at the end of the tour.

11am & 2pm, FREE, Booking required (01652 660380)

Posted on:24th April 2025

The Art of Architecture

Paintings of Barton buildings exhibited by our resident art group.

FREE

Posted on:24th April 2025