Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Happy Bank Holiday Monday everyone!😊😊
And while many of you are (deservedly) putting your feet up...we're very much open for business today🤣🤣🤣
Come in and see us anytime from 10am🕙 till 4pm 🕓
... As well as our permanent displays and collections we have Julie Cope's Grand Tour by Grayson Perry in our exhibitions gallery, the Madagascar Trail🐾🐾 for the little ones to enter and our fab 'Dress Up on Deck' area⚓⛵🛶 where they can put on their best seafaring gear!
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Come and hear an illustrated talk by local author and playwright Ed Waugh all about Joe Wilson - known as the 'Bard of Tyneside'.
Wilson was able to encapsulate an epic story in a song. His subject matter ranged from love, death and moving house to supporting workers on strike. In addition, he wasn’t afraid to tackle the horrors of domestic violence or drunkenness.
His prose is a vibrant record of working class life on Victorian Tyneside, which are as relevant today as they ...were 150 years ago.
Joe is best known today for the classic Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie Hinny, which was one of 360 songs he wrote in his brief life. Born in Stowell Street, Newcastle, in November 1841 Joe made his professional debut 23 years later and within a year was the undisputed North East concert hall superstar. .
Sadly, he died of TB aged just 33 years old. His memorial in Jesmond Old Cemetery, depicts a life cut tragically short.
The talk - which is part of this year's Heritage Open Days - is free and starts at2pm, lasting an about an hour. Pre-booking is essential, please email janet.robinson@sunderland.gov.uk to reserve a place.
Ed's new musical play, 'The Great Joe Wilson' is on tour at a number of north east venues next month -see more details at www.wisecrackproductions.co.uk/joewilson< br> See More

Can't decide what to do with your Sunday?🤔🤔🤔
Well, if you haven't already seen and heard 'Julie Cope's Grand Tour', by award-winning artist 👨‍🎨👩‍🎨Grayson Perry then now's your chance!
Drop in anytime between 12-4pm today and make your way to the exhibitions gallery on the second floor. No need to worry about cash or card, we don't charge a penny for our displays!😊😊😊
... And if you like, you can then browse in the shop on your way out and pick up an illustrated catalogue, a poster (framed or unframed), a book, a postcard.. or anything else which takes your fancy!😄👍😄
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This year's Heritage Open Days are taking place from Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th and Thursday 13th - Sunday 16th September.
It's England's largest festival of architecture, history and culture and it's all FREE!😊😊😊
Port of Tyne are sponsoring the Open Days in Tyne & Wear and in the Sunderland area there are loads of attractions.
... You can visit the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums🛩️🚃 in Washington, sit at the controls of a retired jet aircraft and take a tour of a vintage tram; join a 'hard hat' tour of Hylton Castle to see the work going on to transform this 14th century gatehouse; or explore the 1,300 years of history at St Peter's Church⛪ in Monkwearmouth and walk in the footsteps of the Venerable Bede.
Other venues taking part include the Sikh Temple in Ashbrooke; Sunderland Marina🛳️; Port of Sunderland; the new mosque🕌 in St Mark's Road (Masjid-e-anwar-e-madina); Ryhope Pumping Station; Sunderland Empire Theatre 🎭 and Fulwell Community Centre.
All the info you need at www.heritageopendays.org.uk😃
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Next Wednesday, 29 August we're holding our final summer holidays activity🧒👦 here at the Museum & Winter Gardens.
Our Musical Monkeez Parties take place at 11am (for 👶under 5s) then 1pm and 2.30pm for those aged 5 and up.
Join the team from Musical Monkeez🐵🐒🐵 for an hour of musical fun and games📻🎷🎸🎹
... Tickets are £3.50 per child (adults and babies don;t require tickets) but numbers are limited - you can get yours either from the museum shop or via www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/255501
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On Friday, Sept 7 we're delighted to welcome local author, Ed Waugh who will be giving an illustrated talk on the life of Joe Wilson - the 'Bard of Tyneside'.
Wilson was able to encapsulate an epic story in a song. His subject matter ranged from love, death and moving house to supporting workers on strike.
His songs👨‍🎤👨‍🎤 were a vibrant record of working class life on Victorian Tyneside, which are as relevant today as they were 150 years ago.
... Joe is best known today for the classic Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie Hinny, which was one of 360 songs he wrote in his brief life. Born in Stowell Street, Newcastle, in November 1841 Joe made his professional debut aged 23 at Balmbras, Newcastle and within a year was the undisputed north east concert hall superstar.
Sadly,he died of TB aged just 33 years old. His memorial in Jesmond Old Cemetery, depicts a life cut tragically short.
The talk begins at 2pm and should last around an hour. It's part of Heritage Open Days and is free😊, but you must book in advance.
Please email💻 janet.robinson@sunderland.gov.uk to reserve a place.
Ed's play🎭 🎵with music - 'The Great Joe Wilson' - is on tour at a number of north east venues next month; for more info visit www.wisecrackproductions.co.uk/joewilson< br> See More

This year's Heritage Open Days in Tyne & Wear take place from Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th September and Thursday 13th - Sunday 16th.
And on both Saturdays and both Sundays you can step back in time⏳ to explore the north east's coalmining heritage.
See the amazing horizontal steam winding engine in the former engine house at Washington F Pit, take in the examples of coal mining art🎨🖼️ and the First World War Washington Miners' Memorial.
... Come along anytime between 11am and 3pm - and like every event as part of Heritage Open Days, it's totally free!😄😄
For information on other venues taking part, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
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Get the kids🧒👦 along to the Museum this Friday and let their imaginations run riot!😝😝😝
As part of our 'Science Week' 🔭💡⚗️🔩we're holding an 'Imagine and Invent' workshop from 11am on Friday, 24 August.
They can use our K'Nex building kits🔧🗜️ and other materials to make their own model inventions to take home, including moving machines and spinners!
... The activity is free but donations are welcome (we suggest £2)🤗🤗
Drop in anytime between 11am and 1230pm, then from 1.30-3pm.
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Due to unforeseen circumstances Washington F Pit has had to close early today and will reopen on Monday 27 August 2018. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If you've been to see Julie Cope's Grand Tour by Grayson Perry and enjoyed it, did you know we have a range of related material on sale in the museum shop?🤗🤗
We have framed and unframed posters🖼️🖼️ marking the dates the exhibition🎨 was on view at Sunderland Museum, a lavishly illustrated tour guide for just £5, plus postcards for only £1.25 as well as several books on the life and works of Grayson Perry.
They're ideal gifts for anyone who is a fan of the artist👨‍🎨, or a perfe...ct memento of the exhibition.
Thanks go to James, our business development officer for helping show off the poster👍 and visitor services assistant Christine, whose hands🙌 are holding open the tour guide! 😁😁😁
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Well done to all those involved on Saturday, there were hundreds of people throughout the day who came along to enjoy the music in Mowbray Park🎸🎷🎶🎛️
And it was lovely to meet those younger members of the crowd who came along to our stand for the facepainting🐯💅 or badge-making! 😊😊😊

We're getting ready for our Big Bang Science Parties this Wednesday!💡💥😁⚗️
See amazing science demonstrations up close🔎🔬 and make your own super slime to take away! 👍👍👍
Suitable for those aged 4 and over🧒👦
... Tickets are £4 per child and each session lasts around 50 minutes. They take place at 10.15am, 11.15am and 1pm.
Don;t delay as these parties always prove a hit - and we know from experience that if the weather is a bit cool or wet🌨️☔ on the day, they are suddenly even more popular!😉
PLEASE NOTE: we are aware the link to Ticketsource for this event on www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk may not be working. We have plenty of tickets on sale from the museum shop, any problems ring (0191) 561 2323.
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This week sees the final few days of our ⛵⚓⛵🌊 'Heroes of the Sea' trail.
Follow the trail 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️ to explore the sea-themed treasures 🌊🐋🐳in the Museum’s collections and learn more about Sunderland’s proud maritime history.
Dig out the clues and answer the questions to claim a prize!🏅🏅
... £2.50 per entry – tickets available from museum reception.
Open during museum opening hours - 10am - 4pm Mon - Sat, 12-4pm Sunday.
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Have you made any plans yet for the Bank Holiday weekend? If not, why not check out the Battle for Sunderland at Hylton Castle?!😊👍😊
There is lots going on both Sunday and Monday at the castle, the organisers tell us there will be limited parking🚙🚗🚙 available at Bunny Hill Primary Care Centre and Castle View Enterprise Academy.
Or if you're going by bus🚌, best ones from Sunderland city centre are the 3, 12 or 13 (Stagecoach) or Fab 56 (Go North East).
... You might want to bring some earplugs!💣💥💣🤣🤣🤣
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Let's Fly Away!🛫🛫🛫
Our final Summer Holiday Fun activity at Washington 'F' Pit Museum takes place tomorrow, Monday 20th August.
Between 12noon-2pm you're invited to bring the kids along to make their own model glider🛩️🛩️ (all materials provided)😊
... This will help us make the role Usworth airfield played in the First World War of 1914-18. It played a vital part in helping the Royal Flying Corps defend the coastline from German bombing raids💣.
The airfield later became part of the Nissan site🚗🚙
The activity is free, although any donations would be welcomed and appreciated👍👍
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How do I stop the kids getting bored this weekend...🤔🤔
Well, you could bring them to the Museum & Winter Gardens and set them off on our Marvellous Madagascar Trail😃😃
From Traveller’s Palms to lemurs, discover the amazing plants and animals 🌾🦎🐸🍃🐒of Madagascar on an explorer trail in the Winter Gardens.
... Find the clues🔎🔎 and answer the questions to claim a prize! 😊😊😊
£2.50 per entry, trails available for sale from museum reception. Come along anytime during our normal opening hours🕙🕓 (Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm) from now until Sept 2nd.
This activity supports 'Madagascar the Musical' 🎶🎶👨‍🎤👩‍🎤🎭which is on at Sunderland Empire Theatre from Aug 28 - Sept 1.
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Don't forget next Wednesday (August 22) we're holding our Big Bang Science Parties!💡💥😁⚗️
See amazing science demonstrations up close🔎🔬 and make your own super slime to take away! 👍👍👍
Suitable for those aged 4 and over🧒👦
... Tickets are £4 per child and each session lasts around 50 minutes. They take place at 10.15am, 11.15am and 1pm.
Get your tickets from the museum shop or via https://www.seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk/sun derland-museum-win…
But don't delay⏰ as these parties always prove popular!😉
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Drake?👨‍🎤 Rihanna?👩‍🎤 Clean Bandit? George Ezra? 🎤Maroon 5? Little Mix?... Or even The Beatles?!!🎸🎸
Whoever your favourite band or musician, come and get creative tomorrow, Friday 17th and design a poster to promote them!
Our Pop Posters activity is free, but donations are welcome👍👍
... You can drop in between 11am-12.30pm,, or 1.30pm-3pm😃😃
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