News and events

Forthcoming Museum Society talks

Why not come along to one of our Museum Society talks? Join us for a series of entertaining and informative evenings as our guest speakers share their knowledge about a variety of fascinating subjects. Our talks are held in a friendly, informal setting, and they’re a great way to meet other people with an interest in local history.

Our 2010 series of talks take place at the Old Court House in Westgate. Talks start at 7:30 pm and everyone is welcome. Admission is just £1.00 for Museum Society members (please have your membership card with you!) and £2.50 for non-members.

• Tuesday, 23rd March
  “The pig got up and slowly walked away”
  Librarian John Luckett from Leeds will explain the story behind this intriguing title as he looks at the history of books, ranging from the earliest Babylonian inscriptions to the invention of modern printing by Gutenberg.
• Tuesday, 27th April
  “Roots Unexpected”
  Audrey Dewgee is an authority on the history of Black and Asian people in Britain. Born in Yorkshire, she spent twenty-five years in the London area, but returned to her northern roots in 1990, working with research groups in Leeds and Hawes. Her illustrated talk will reveal echoes of the African slave trade and the British Raj in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

“Thirsk and Sowerby through Time” is the third book in our series based on early photographs from the Museum’s collection. This time the theme is “Then & Now”, with modern colour photographs showing views and activities featured in old postcards and prints.

Published by Amberley Publications, “Thirsk and Sowerby through Time” will be on sale in local bookshops and (from Easter onwards) at the Museum.

Home Front Thirsk invites you to step back in time to the Second World War. Thirsk Museum’s latest web site brings together a fascinating collection of wartime objects, photographs and documents, all relating to the people of Thirsk and its surrounding villages. Many of the exhibits are unique to the local area. All are clearly illustrated and described, often with a choice of views and links to related items. The site has been designed to be easy to use - you can go directly to your chosen exhibit or just browse through one of the “themes.” As well as Civil Defence, Civilian Life and Military Life, there are special themes for the Home Guard and Prisoners-of-War, both of whom played important parts in the lives of local people. Whether you are studying the Second World War or you lived in or around Thirsk during the war years, you’ll find something of interest for all ages. See for yourself at www.homefrontthirsk.org.uk.