Events
Take your pick from our selection of special events....
Click on the following sections to skip to the area you are interested in:
The Mystery Files (the final weekend of our family and school holiday activities for 2008 takes place just before Christmas)
The Bubbles Show (a fun, free, family science show)
Astronomy Events (events at the York Observatory and in the museum, including a Space Extravaganza day)
Talks and workshops for adults
Finds Days (archaeological identification sessions run by the Portable Antiquities Service)
Events for Adults brochure - new for 2008/9
Click here to download our new Events for Adults brochure which covers events up until August 2009 here at the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, as well as at York Castle Museum and York Art Gallery.
A year of intrigue at the Yorkshire Museum
All year - 2008
Crack the mystery of the Middleham Jewel.....
Murder, bodies, burials and treasure - our museum is full of mysteries waiting to be investigated.
During 2008 we’re inviting visitors to become detectives in our search for the answers to some intriguing (and sometimes gory) mysteries….
Each school holiday there is a new mystery to solve, using clues and information to be discovered around the museum. Examine treasures close-up, consult historical witnesses, speak to experts and use your wit and observational skills to get to the truth.
Chapter One: The Sword (February half-term)
Chapter Two: The Body (Easter)
Chapter Three: The Jewel (Spring half-term)
Chapter Four: The Fossil (Summer)
Chapter Five: The Burial (October half-term)
The Final Chapter: The Vault
20 and 21 December
All day, both days
At last the final mystery is here,
Solve the clues and all will be clear.
Four objects to find and four numbers too,
A reward may be yours with the final clue.
Can you answer the clues which will lead you to our secret vault room of treasures? Follow our riddle trail around the museum and all will be revealed with the chance to enter our grand prize draw and a Christmas reward too!
Plus....Whether or not it's not school holiday time, there is still the chance to take a peek into our Cabinet of Curiosities or take our History Mystery trail around the museum - throughout 2008.
Click here to see our Mystery Object of the Month.
5 December
5.30pm - 6.15pm
The Bubbles Show
Join us for this fun, free family science show, aimed at five to 11-year-olds and their families. Over 45 minutes we will investigate the science behind soap films by blowing bubbles of all shapes and sizes, filling them with smoke and magically getting them to hover in mid-air. The show covers simple molecular forces, surface tension, light, colour, density, volume and shapes. Washing up will never be the same again!
To book a free place, telephone 01904 650333.
Astronomy Events
All astronomy events in the York Observatory and Museum Gardens are free (for events in the museum, normal admission charges apply).
Moon Watch
6, 7 December
6pm - 8pm
Visit the York Observatory to watch our nearest neighbour in space, the Moon, through our historic telescope.
General Observatory opening times
Every Thursday, plus the first and last Saturdays of each month, 11.30am- 2.30pm
Free
Click here for more information on York Observatory and our Astronomy collection.
Some Icons of Ornithology
20 November
1pm - 3pm
From Great Auks to the Passenger Pigeon, this talk explores some of the ornithological treasures in the Yorkshire Museum, their stories, and how they affect us today. Cost: £5 per person, to book a place phone 01904 650333.
Introduction to Astronomy
Tuesdays 2 and 9 December
6pm - 8pm
A fantastic opportunity for adults to have a basic introduction to astronomy with the museum's own astronomer in the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire. Participants should bring their own telescope.
Free, but please book your place by telephoning 01904 650333.
Artefact Handling Workshops
28 January and 25 February
1pm - 3pm
These two half-day workshops offer the opportunity to handle some of the amazing objects from our archaeological collection, which range from Palaeolithic hand axes and Roman rings to Viking combs and Medieval masonry. The first session concentrates on Prehistoric and Roman artefacts, the second on Viking and Medieval Artefacts. Cost per session: £5 per person, to book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
Finds Days
Saturdays 6 December, 7 February, 7 March, 4 April, 2 May, 6 June
10am - 1pm
Bring along your archaeological finds and get help and advice with identifying them from our Portable Antiquities Scheme staff. Staff from the scheme also run other regular Finds Days in East Yorkshire. Click here for more dates and more information about the scheme.