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Events
Browse through our events or click on the following sections to skip to the area you are interested in:
Astronomy Events, Tours, Yorkshire Museum Bookclub, Workshops, Curators' Talks, Royal Salutes.
Astronomy Events
Observatory Open Days
Every Saturday 11.30am - 2.30pm
Come and gaze upon the stars in what is the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire.
You'll be finding out about the galaxy in one of the most historically important astronomy centres in the country.
The observatory was built in 1832 and 1833 and its 4in refractor telescope was built by York man Thomas Cooke in 1850 before he went on to make the then-largest telescope in the world. York played a crucial role in the development of astronomy in the 1780s when York-based astronomers John Goodricke and Edward Piggot laid the foundations of the study of stars of varying brightness.
Free entry
The Gardens in Autumn
6 October, 2pm - 3pm
A guided tour of the Museum Gardens with Sjaak Kastelijn, gardens manager, to look at the autumn horticultural highlights.
Free. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
Torchlit Tours
24 - 31 October, 6pm and 7pm
Explore the new galleries and objects of the Yorkshire Museum by torchlight in this special series of tours.
£5 per person, no need to book
The BBC's new Hands on History project has started in 2010 with a focus on the Normans and includes a Norman walk around York - including St Mary's Abbey in the Museum Gardens. Download it here.
First Wednesday of the month, 6pm - 7.30pm
A new bookclub with a difference! Join the museum team for a lively discussion about novels related to the exhibitions and collections. There will be special opportunities to handle genuine objects linked to the book themes.
6 October - The Emperor's Babe by Bernardine Evaristo
3 November - Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
1 December - Sovereign by CJ Sanson
All materials are included in the price unless otherwise stated.
It's Cartoon Time!
15 September, 2pm - 4pm
Richard Stansfield, creator of Yorkatt and Eric of the York Press, and illustrator for York Museums Trust, will show you how to draw animal cartoons. Specimens from the museum will be available for inspiration. No previous experience needed!
£5 per person. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
Making Mosaics
25 September, 10am - 3.30pm
Create your own mosaic tile inspired by the Roman mosaics on display in the museum, under the guidance of Catherine Boyne Whitelegg.
£25 per person + £5 for materials. To book a place, telephone 01904 554277 or email adult.education@york.gov.uk
Close-up Photography
7 October, 10am - 4pm
17 October, 1pm - 4pm
Learn how to take imaginative close-up images with your digital camera, using insect and animal specimens from the museum. Photographer John Potter will also show how images can then be processed and enhanced using Photoshop Elements.
£15 per person. To book a place, telephone 01904 554277 or email adult.education@york.gov.uk
Lino Cutting and Printing
6 and 13 November, 10am - 4pm
Kirstie Briggs Bateman will teach techniques in lino cutting and printing using inspiration from the medieval tile and glass collections at the Yorkshire Museum.
£50 for two-day course. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
Enamelling and Metal Clay Jewellery
20 and 27 November and 4 December, 10am - 4pm
Lynn Glazzard leads this introductory course which runs on three Saturdays:
Day 1 - Introduction to enamelling on copper
Day 2 - Introduction to the art of silver clay
Day 3 - Introduction to enamel on metal clay
£120 for three days or £45 for individual workshops. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
Stained Glass
11 December, 10am - 3.30pm
Ann Sotheran will lead you through all the processes needed to create your own piece of stained glass, inspired by the beautiful examples in the museum.
£20 per person + £5 for materials. To book a place, telephone 01904 554277 or email adult.education@york.gov.uk
All these lunchtime talks are free (aside from usual admission charge) and run from 12.30pm - 1pm, no need to book.
The Stories a Greek Urn can tell
28 September
927AD: The First King of England
12 October
The story of Bangle Lady: a Roman from Africa
26 October
Medieval Stained Glass
9 November
Walking in the footprints of Dinosaurs
23 November
A brief history of Yorkshire
7 December
6 February (Accession of the Queen to the throne)
21 April (the Queen's birthday)
2 June (Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation)
10 June (the Duke of Edinburgh's Birthday)
12 June (the Queen's official birthday)
15 November (The Prince of Wales's birthday).
The Museum Gardens host several formal Royal Salute ceremonies a year, organised and attended by soldiers from York Garrison. They culminate in cannon fire at noon and are held around the same dates every year. The Gardens are closed during the mornings prior to the Royal Salutes for security reasons.