10/12/2020
He’s behind you!
⭐ Did you enjoy last year’s pantomime ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’? Gressenhall’s learning team love every opportunity to dress up and to have a laugh with our visitors.
#Gressenhall #NorfolkEvents #EventsInNorfolk
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
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Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse. Museum of Norfolk Life. Part of Norfolk Museums Service. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is a truly unique museum.
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Visit its 50-acre site and discover the historic workhouse, museum of life on the land, traditional farm with rare breed animals and beautiful, unspoilt grounds.
Temporarily closed
09/12/2020
It's Wednesday so it's Christmas Quiz time! This week is all about turkeys - are the following facts true or false about our beloved friends on Gressenhall farm.
Question 1. You can tell if a turkey is male or female from the shape of its poo? True or False?
Question 2: Henry VIII was the first English monarch to have turkey for his Christmas dinner? True or False?
Question 3: All turkeys gobble? True or False?
Answers tomorrow - good luck!
Norfolk Museums Service
08/12/2020
It is #CollectionsCallMyBluff #Christmas time!🎄🔎
Can you guess the correct identification?
Is this item a ...
a) A Christmas card sent by Senior Service – a charity that supports older people.
b) An advert for a service that wrapped Christmas presents for older people who struggle with the Sellotape and scissors.
c) A festive decorative cigarette box cover designed to make your favourite brand a suitable present.
⭐ Answer revealed tomorrow!
07/12/2020
Craft Activity - Christmas Candle
Follow our easy ‘how to guide’ and create your own Christmas candle ⭐️
A candle can make a great gift or why not make one for your Christmas table?
https://youtu.be/lgfFHjIdLdA
Please visit the Gressenhall website for all our free online children activities.
Remember to share pictures of your creations with us on social media, we love seeing what you have made.
Christmas Candle script.Hello it is Megan, Curator at Gressenhall here. Today we are making Christmas candles. Did you know we used to use real candles on C...
06/12/2020
Join us online as we bring our Victorian Family Christmas event to the comfort of your home ❄️🎄🎁
Our ‘festive activities’ will be available digitally across Gressenhall’s social media channels and on the Gressenhall website.
All day, Mon 21 + Tues 22 December.
#MerryNMSmas
04/12/2020
We had a special visitor to Gressenhall this week 🎄
Whist on the farm, Father Christmas delivered a festive treat to our farm animals.
We wonder what the Large Black pigs received, we guess we will have to wait until Christmas day to find out!
03/12/2020
Christmas at Gressenhall wasn’t all work and no play ❄️🎄🎁
Although the Workhouse Master at our Victorian Family Christmas event wasn’t so keen to share a cheeky kiss under the mistletoe with the Matron!
02/12/2020
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse's cover photo
02/12/2020
Each Wednesday in December we will be posting a short Christmas Quiz! This week's three questions are on Christmas trees. We certainly enjoy decorating Gressenhall's Christmas tree and entertaining in front of it every year!
Questions:
1. What is the most popular type of tree for Christmas trees in the UK?
a) Norway Spruce
b) Fraser Fir
c) Nordmann Fir
2. How old is a typical Christmas tree?
a) 4 - 7 years old
b) 7 - 10 years old
c) 10 - 13 years old
3. When were the first electric Christmas tree lights invented?
a) 1882
b) 1892
c) 1902
Add your answers in the chat below and we will reveal the correct ones tomorrow!
Norfolk Museums Service Enjoy Norwich
01/12/2020
It is #CollectionsCallMyBluff #Christmas time!🎄🔎
Can you guess the correct identification?
Is this item a ...
a) Fancy paper cuffs for your turkey’s legs
b) Paper decorations for the Christmas tree
c) Earrings for the Christmas office party
⭐️Ans revealed tomo!
30/11/2020
Craft Activity - Christmas Hankies
Looking for a festive activity to keep the children entertained? 🎄
Then why not create your own Christmas hanky with our easy 'how to guide'.
VIDEO -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-078Ufqzeus
We love seeing your creations, why not tag us in your images 😁
Tune back next Monday for more festive craft fun!
Christmas handkerchief script Hello, Megan Curator at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse here. Today, we are going to show you how to make beautiful decorated ha...
26/11/2020
An Autumn day over Gressenhall museum 🧡🍂
22/11/2020
Next year Gressenhall will be greeted with some new animal friends, say hello to our latest addition 🐤🦌 🦔
Courtesy of Spoons by Adam
#Woodwork #Woodcreation #Woodenanimal #Gressenhall #Sculpture #WoodenSculpture
19/11/2020
Today we say #ThanksToYou! Through your lottery tickets the National Lottery Heritage Fund funds our amazing Kick the Dust Youth Programme, which works with young people to make a difference in our museums. Here is Katie Sheard talking about her work with Gressenhall through @KTDNorfolk -
"I am very grateful to be part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund project, Kick the Dust. Recently, I have been involved in a social media project which has not only been interesting to research and see engagement with the public, but has also given me even more skills to add to my CV. Being part of this scheme has been so valuable, I've gained so much confidence and acquired the skills to hopefully pursue a career in the cultural sector".
19/11/2020
Last of the apples on Gressenhall Farm, what tasty treat would you create? 🍎
Stuck for ideas? 🤔
Join Mrs Clackett, in Cherry Tree Cottage, to find out how apples were cooked during Victorian London.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JFSvTHG8FA&list=PLFyxX5GzHdAYZOMAVNByFnlTnfjXows5F&index=3
18/11/2020
The Life of Benjamin Newell - Google Arts & Culture
In our new digital exhibition we explore one Gressenhall inmate's life - Benjamin Newall. Benjamin was an injured solider - an experience many others have experienced and continue to experience today. Explore Benjamin's life and think about how we can learn from the mistakes of the past.
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-life-of-benjamin-newell/ugJSiHyp-usyLg
A creative interpretation of the life of Benjamin Newell, inmate at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse (now Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse). Researched and created as part of the More Than Oliver Twist project by The Workhouse Network, funded by Arts Council England.
17/11/2020
More Than Oliver Twist on eHive
Calling all family historians! Have you found The Workhouse Network's new family history resources yet?
Over 300 biographies of pauper families:
https://ehive.com/communities/1167/more-than-oliver-twist
Tools and tips for researching workhouse history: https://www.workhousenetwork.org/training-films.html
and a fab exhibition: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-workhouse-network
More Than Oliver Twist - An Arts Council England funded Subject Specialist Network project, run by the Workhouse Network (2019-2020) The 'More Than Oliver Twist' project provides training for six workhouse sites to research the lives of inmates in their institutions in the 1881 census. From this res...
17/11/2020
Life is still busy on Gressenhall Farm 🐴
Over the weekend Jimbo helped to clean out a shed.
Good job Jimbo (and Mike of course!) 👍
#RareBreed #RareBreedFarm #FarmLife #Livestock #GressenhallFarm #NorfolkFarm #Farm
17/11/2020
Next year Gressenhall will be greeted with some new animal friends 🐤🦌 🦔
Can you guess what this wooden creation will be?
Courtesy of Spoons by Adam
#Woodwork #Woodcreation #Woodenanimal #Gressenhall #Sculpture #WoodenSculpture
16/11/2020
The Workhouse Network - Google Arts & Culture
The Workhouse Network presents More Than Oliver Twist on Google Arts & Culture platform
We invite you to encounter the multidimensional lives of people known then as ‘paupers.’ The exhibition combines audio narrative and visualisations that interpret historic biographies of UK workhouse inmates from 1881 census and relates them to 21st century lived experience.
The work is drawn directly from the research, museum collections, workhouse buildings, volunteers’ experiences and related contemporary lives.
The exhibits contain material that some may find upsetting.
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-workhouse-network
The Workhouse Network is a Subject Specialist Network (SSN) that brings together museums, heritage organisations, archives and universities interested in w...
16/11/2020
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse's cover photo
15/11/2020
Children Craft Activities
We have created a wide range of children craft videos, perfect for keeping your family entertained 🎨✏️
Each activity is suitable to be undertaken at home, using simple materials found in your craft cupboard.
Now, where are the colouring pens?
BROWSE BELOW 👇
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFyxX5GzHdAZr20_QA5iFTh2zfDPDV97g
All our children craft activities are suitable to be undertaken at home, using simple materials found in your craft cupboard. Remember to share pictures of y...
15/11/2020
Today's post is from one of our lovely staff members, Andy:
"I joined the Royal Navy in September 1981, after my training and 18 months on my first HMS Fearless, I then joined my second ship in 1985, HMS Gloucester, at Type 42 Destroyer, straight out of build. Whilst serving on HMS Gloucester I was privileged and honoured to have been part of a guard of honour at the War Memorial, in the City Of Gloucester, for the Remembrance Day commemorations in the same year. After the ceremonials were over we then marched to Gloucester Cathedral for a full church service. I left HMS Gloucester in 1988 having carried out two deployments, amongst others in the Persian Gulf, protecting British interests. I left the Royal Navy in 1991 after serving 10 years and then became heavily involved in the Dereham Branch of The Royal Naval Association".
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #remembrance #thankyou
14/11/2020
The Life of Benjamin Newell - Google Arts & Culture
In 1920, Benjamin was invalidated out of the army as a result of his disabilities. He sadly died at the age of 74. If you would like to hear more about Benjamin’s life you can view our online exhibition at: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-life-of-benjamin-newell/ugJSiHyp-usyLg. We hope to keep his memory alive
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #remembrance #workhousenetwork
A creative interpretation of the life of Benjamin Newell, inmate at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse (now Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse). Researched and created as part of the More Than Oliver Twist project by The Workhouse Network, funded by Arts Council England.
14/11/2020
Benjamin saw a lot of action while serving, on 1st July 1916 Benjamin and his battalion went ‘over the top’ on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On the 14th July 1916 the battalion was involved in an attack in the Trones Wood area. During this attack, Benjamin was shot in the left arm which caused permanent damage. He was taken to Queen Mary's Military Hospital in Whalley, Lancashire where he underwent rehabilitation. For his bravery, Benjamin was awarded the Military Medal
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #remembrance
14/11/2020
Meet Benjamin Newell. Benjamin was born in 1879 and spent most of his childhood at Mitford and Launditch Union workhouse (Gressenhall). He had a traumatic start to life, having a surgical procedure to correct a harelip, now known as a cleft lip. At the age of 14 Benjamin was taken on by Mr Abraham Bacon Matthews of Wollaston to become an Apprentice Boot Finisher, as he had learnt the trade at the workhouse. Follow along our social media channels today to find more about Benjamin’s story…
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #remembrance
13/11/2020
The Friendly Invasion in Norfolk
During World War Two African American GIs were stationed at Norfolk airbases. Their contribution and impact was significant, but we have yet to find links to them in our collections and records. We know that some airbases were close to Dereham, so would love to hear from those people with stories to tell. To find out more click below …
👉 https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/things-to-do/Friendly-Invasion-in-Norfolk.aspx
👉https://www.8theast.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Learning-Pack-Final-Version-13th.pdf
Kick the Dust - Norfolk Visit Norfolk Eighth in the East National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Friendly Invasion, when over 50,000 USAAF servicemen arrived in Norfolk, had the biggest cultural and landscape impact the county has ever seen.
12/11/2020
Despite most of the work of the Women’s Land Army being very demanding, it obvious there was time for some relaxation and fun! Here we see Lucy, Margo, Kath and Doreen in 1943, working in Ridlington, Leicester
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww2
12/11/2020
“The Land Army fights in the fields. It is in the fields of Britain that the most critical battle of the war may well be fought and won” - Lady Denman, Director of the Women’s Land Army, 1939
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww2
12/11/2020
The main purpose of the organisation was to increase food production. There were 3 sections: 1) Agriculture 2) Forage (haymaking for food for horses) 3) Timber cutting. The majority of women involved worked in the agricultural section
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #ww2
12/11/2020
Today’s focus is on the women who were involved in the Land Army during the First and Second World Wars. The British Women’s Land Army was first established in January 1917, and then reformed in June 1939. It played a significant role as women were called up to replace jobs left by men. Around 23,000 women signed up during #ww1, and 200,000 women during #ww2
Kick the Dust - Norfolk
11/11/2020
Today marks a time of reflection where we remember those who made sacrifices and were affected by war. No matter what race, religion or gender, we thank you. No one will be forgotten
10/11/2020
Sadly, Sergeant Ernest William Freezer died 10th April 1918 in France, when German forces took Croix-du-Bac. This is where Ernest is buried. Ernest’s name is inscribed on the Roll of Honour in St Paul’s Cathedral in London and will forever be remembered for his bravery and joy he brought to Gressenhall Church. Ernest can be seen in the image third from the left, his father is on the far right
(Credit: The Gressenhall Bell Ringers)
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #remembrance
10/11/2020
Ernest and his father were keen bell ringers at Gressenhall Church. Ernest even joined the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers in 1911 due to his talents. When war broke out, Ernest left Gressenhall to serve his country and the Commonwealth in the Norfolk Regiment. Much of Ernest’s military career is unknown, however, we do know he was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers at some point
(Credit: The Gressenhall Bell Ringers)
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #remembrance
10/11/2020
From an early age it was obvious Ernest was a high achiever. Throughout his time at Gressenhall school, he received various awards and a certificate for high attendance. After leaving school, Ernest became a brickmaker along with his father
Kick the Dust - Norfolk #ww1 #remembrance
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Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk
Dereham
NR20 4DR
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Videos
Christmas cooking with Mrs Clackett - Furmenty
Christmas cooking with Mrs Clackett (part 1) - Baked apples
Have a chuckle with Father Christmas - Suffolk Punch horse
Make a Merry Mawkin
Natural Weaving Video
Queer Nature Tour: Eels
Queer Nature Tour: Lavender
Queer Nature Tour: Chickens
Peg Horses
Make It Monday Fluffy Sheep
Our Make It Monday today is all about our be-ewe-tiful Norfolk Horn sheep! Have a go and remeber to share with your flock!
Peg Horses - Make It Monday
Who doesn't need a pretty peg pony in their lives? Make yours with today's Make It Monday craft!
Kick the Dust - 'Museum in a Jar'
Be part of the Kick the Dust ‘BEHIND GLASS’ virtual museum this summer! Make a MUSEUM IN A JAR and tell us in ONE object how lockdown has been for you! We have a target of 100 jars - one for every day of lockdown - and every single entry will be featured online in the virtual museum. Watch this short film to find out how… For more information or to submit your entry, please email Rachel Duffield at [email protected]
Make It Monday: Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Welcome to Make It Monday! This week we are keeping the birds happy and making a pine cone bird feeder. These were ever so popular at our Victorian Christmas event - we hope you enjoy making them at home too. Remember to share your bird feeder with us in the comments below.
This week we are celebrating 'Gressenhall Goes Wild' 🐝🍃 Keep your eyes peeled for lots of exciting content to help you become a nature detective at home.
Norfolk Show Rosettes
Today's Make It Monday is inspired by the Norfolk Show which should have been this week. Even though the show is cancelled you can still make your own Best in Show or CHAMPION rosette!
Spoon Dolls
What is your family's favourite craft at Gressenhall? Our curator's children love our Spoon Dolls. Find out how to make your own in this week's Make It Monday craft video.
Spoon Dolls
What is your family's favourite craft at Gressenhall? Our curator's children love our Spoon Dolls. Find out how to make your own in this week's Make It Monday!
Rainbows
Make your own jolly rainbow display with this week's #MakeItMonday 🌈🌈🌈 Remember to tag us in your creations, we love seeing what you make!
Journey Crown
Explore your favourite local path and record your journey with today's #MakeItMonday Journey Crown
Gressenhall Farm: Cart ride
For those of you who are missing visiting the farm, this week we have a #farmfriday treat 🐴 Jump on board and settle down, Reggie and Remus are ready and waiting to take to you on a cart ride.
Make It Monday - Envelope House
We've been so busy enjoying our bank holiday safely at home (and all the beautiful sunshine!) that we ALMOST forgot #MakeItMonday - here it is - enjoy making your envelope house collages this week everyone!
Make It Monday - Potato prints
For today’s Make It Monday we are potato printing 🥔🎨 This is a great activity to do at home – you can design and make your own wrapping paper, cards or a pretty picture. We would love to see your finished creations! Feel free to share your images below.
#MakeItMonday - Woolly snakes
Today is #MakeitMonday and this week we are creating woolly snakes 🐍 🎨 We would love to see your slithery friends, so make sure you tag us in your wonderful creations.
Shortcuts
Category
Nearby museums
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Dereham History & Bishop Bonner's Cottage Mus
Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum, St Withburga Lane -
Dereham Station, Station Road, East Dereham
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Whitwell & Reepham Railway Station, Whitwell Road, Reepham
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Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History
Hempton Road, Fakenham -
Thursford NR21 0
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St. Seraphim's Chapel, Station Road, Little Walsingham
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10 The Bridewell, Norwich Road, Wymondham
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Norwich 01953
Other History Museums in Dereham
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Dereham History & Bishop Bonner's Cottage Mus
Bishop Bonner's Cottage Museum, St Withburga Lane
Comments
Today is White Ribbon Day campaigning to end violence against women. In the past the workhouse provided a sanctuary for women and children escaping abuse and domestic violence. In 1908 Polly Took was taken into Gressenhall workhouse suffering from malnourishment and rickets. She died shortly after after. Later the workhouse took custody of the other Took children to protect them until they were 18. Today Norfolk County Council continue this valuable work. Together we work for a day when it won't be required.
A lovely day
A Day In The Life Of The WLA from 2019 here! Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Navf4470akc&t=1s
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCjktOJkWgU
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSQOLyK_zs0&t=1s
Visit Breckland, as there's so much to see.
We had a lovely morning with you yesterday! The kids had a fabulous time regardless of the play area not being available. Lovely walk round the farm and river with fun crafts to complete at the museum 😊 Staff were wonderful and engaging with the kids too 👍🏻
Do children's university kids go free?
Hi are you planning on re-opening for the summer holidays as we would like to come and visit? thanks
Feeling sad when I think today would’ve been amazing for a vintage affair, but here’s hoping next year the event will go ahead be a lovely sunny day like today & be totally amazing xx
When are you reopening to the public ?
We had a great day at Gressenhall today! Plenty of sunshine and things to do - thank you.
And my dad is busy stooking up (or is it shocking up?) here...