Backstage in the Gage

***As it is the summer holidays, this session will be suitable for children***

Come find out about school life in the early 1900s.  What did they study? What was school life like? Why are there so many absences? We will look at a school log book written from 1890 to 1909 in Broadwell in the Forest of Dean. This school was built in 1863 and closed in 1977.  The book is written diary style, covering many daily events and activities: school lessons, staff, examinations, pupil behaviour, redecorating, children's absence, holidays, illnesses, vicar's visit, and more. The book gives us real insight into school and children's lives at the turn of the 19th century and is by turns serious, touching, surprising, and funny.

One of our collections team will give short talks on a range of objects from our stores. This is a great opportunity to see and hear about objects that are not on display and engage with the collection up close. It will be an informal session in our Gage collections room, where we are happy to chat and answer questions.