Kids and Collections: Be My Valentine?

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator Ever wonder why we celebrate Valentines Day- a day that for some it’s all hearts, pinks, reds and over all mushiness! Well we are about to tell you that historically it was a lot less lovely for sure. The history of Valentine’s Day starts with those rascally Romans and Pagans.

Kids and Collections- The Men of Wreck and Rescue

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator It is hard to marvel at the courage and endurance of the early lifeboat men. They faced terrible conditions with very basic equipment. Their open boats were powered by oars and sails and could take hours to launch in weather. The Lifeboat men’s only protection was from the oilskins and

Kids and Collections- Curious Collecting: The Story of Great Yarmouth’s First Museum

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator One of the most eclectic part of our museum (and personally my favourite) is our version of the “Cabinet of Curiosities”. Though ours is a tribute to what could be one of the earliest known museums in the county, the Museum Boulterianum. Situated in the Market Place and opened in

Kids and Collections- Navigating the Seas

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator Navigation is an ancient art. During the nineteenth century mariners still used techniques which were developed hundreds of years ago. They gathered information from all around to help them to find their way. They used the land, the seas and the sky to navigate. When sailing close to land mariners

Kids and Collections- “Sailor’s Life for Me”

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator Sailors stood out when they returned from their long voyages at sea. They were known as Jack Tars because of their specially tar waterproofed clothes. The character of Jack Tar became popular because people knew that sailors were important. Britain needed a strong navy and a large merchant fleet. There

Kids and Collections- Fisher Girls: Great Yarmouth Silver Darlings

A Slack Day at the Quay by Stephen John Batchelder (1849–1932) By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator At the height of the autumn fishing industry over 6000 Scottish fisher girls worked in Great Yarmouth during the herring season. The girls were part of the production line; gutting and salting the herring to preserve them. The herring

Kids and Collections- Relaxed Romans

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator From our previous post about the Romans in Great Yarmouth and Caister area we explored the forts and their military expertise but with this week we are delving into the more relaxed side of Roman life, home and play. So, we know about the settlement that was at Caister-on-Sea,  which

Kids and Collections- “Thar she blows!”

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator One of the little-known trades of Great Yarmouth’s maritime history is one that is very much frowned upon in these modern times. Being a much larger and “grander” catch than the humble herring. Whales were a valuable commodity, as their oil was an important lighting fuel before the invention of

Kids and Collections- Wrecking Waves: Power in Paintings

Great Gale at Yarmouth on Ash Wednesday by John Crome By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator Look across the town’s wide beaches on most days and you may see calm sea in front of you, but don’t let this fool you there are many dangers that lie under the waves. Our coastline is littered with centuries

Kids and Collections: “This is the greatest show!”

By Emma Greenard, Events Coordinator Roll up, roll up! Today we are taking the high dive into the rich history of the circus and its ties to the town. Great Yarmouth has a long tradition of blending seaside entertainment with the finest in circus, with the Hippodrome, the country’s last ‘total circus’ building and Out