British Schools Museum

18/06/2026

📢 Museum Closure Notice

Please note that the British Schools Museum will be closed on Sunday 28 June while we host a special event at the museum.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

17/06/2026

👀 How did people take snapshots long before smartphones existed?

This small and compact Kodak Brownie Camera dates from the 1940s. Brownie cameras first appeared in 1900 and were originally marketed towards children, but their convenient design soon made them popular with adults as well.

The camera's name comes from the "Brownies" – mischievous but kind-hearted fairy-like characters created by Canadian illustrator and author Palmer Cox (1840–1924). The popularity of these characters inspired Kodak to adopt the name for their new handheld camera.

This particular camera comes with a wonderful leather case, which was apparently made by the donor who later gifted the item to the Museum. A charming piece of photographic history and a reminder of a time when capturing memories was a much more hands-on experience. 📷✨🕰️

10/06/2026

📢This week's object is a Wooden Ratchet Rattle, more commonly known as a football rattle. While many people associate these distinctive noisemakers with football and rugby crowds, they also played an important role during both World Wars.

Operated by holding the handle and swinging it around, the rattle produces its loud, unmistakable sound through a simple mechanism of a gearwheel and rotating board. During WW1 and WW2, rattles like this were used as warning devices to alert people to poisonous gas threats and were later employed by Air Raid Precautions (ARP) organisations, which worked to protect civilians during air raids.

Long after their wartime service, wooden rattles became a familiar feature of sporting events across the UK, where fans used them to cheer on their teams until the early 1970s.

A simple wooden instrument with a remarkable story, this rattle reminds us how everyday objects can serve very different purposes across generations.

Explore the historical classrooms at the British Schools Museum and learn what schoollife was like during wartime. 🏛️📚

This week, our post was written by our student volunteers Nina and Charlotte.

09/06/2026

Tickets still available for tomorrow’s Tea and Talk, don’t miss it!

🎵 Memphis, Elvis, and a Whole Lot More! 🎵

Join us for a fascinating afternoon tea and talk as museum volunteer Joy Hall takes us on a journey to Graceland and beyond, exploring a remarkable chapter of musical and social history.

Discover stories of the Mississippi River, the cotton trade, civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley, quirky local facts, and inspiring humanitarian work that shaped Memphis and its legacy.

☕ Please arrive by 3:30pm to enjoy tea and cake, included in your ticket price, while you listen to this engaging and thought-provoking talk.

Come along for an enjoyable afternoon of good company, great conversation, and memories to share at

Book your tickets:

https://bsmevents.yapsody.com/event/index/868901/Tea-and-Talk-Memphis-Elvis-and-a-whole-lot-more

08/06/2026

🎵 Memphis, Elvis, and a Whole Lot More! 🎵

Join us for a fascinating afternoon tea and talk as museum volunteer Joy Hall takes us on a journey to Graceland and beyond, exploring a remarkable chapter of musical and social history.

Discover stories of the Mississippi River, the cotton trade, civil rights, Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley, quirky local facts, and inspiring humanitarian work that shaped Memphis and its legacy.

☕ Please arrive by 3:30pm to enjoy tea and cake, included in your ticket price, while you listen to this engaging and thought-provoking talk.

Come along for an enjoyable afternoon of good company, great conversation, and memories to share at

Book your tickets:

https://bsmevents.yapsody.com/event/index/868901/Tea-and-Talk-Memphis-Elvis-and-a-whole-lot-more

07/06/2026

Volunteer with us!

05/06/2026

We had a great time at the Volunteer Fair today.

A huge thank you to for organising such a fantastic event and bringing together so many inspiring volunteers and organisations.

We were also delighted that our wonderful volunteer, Angie, won a One in a Million Volunteer Award.

Well done Angie, you really are one in a million! Thank you for everything you do.

04/06/2026

⏰ Just one day to go!

The British Schools Museum will be at the Hitchin Volunteer Fair tomorrow, and we'd love to meet you.

If you've ever thought about volunteering, come and discover how you can help bring history to life. Whether you're interested in welcoming visitors, supporting events, helping with school visits, or simply becoming part of a friendly local community, there's a place for you at the museum.

📍 Hitchin Market Place
🗓 5th June

Come along for a chat, find out more about our volunteering opportunities, and get a taste of what makes the British Schools Museum such a special place.

👉 Meet us there!

03/06/2026

🍪 Can you imagine needing permission to buy digestive biscuits?

During the First and Second World Wars, food shortages became a serious challenge across Britain. To help ensure everyone received a fair share, the Ministry of Food introduced a rationing system. People had to register at specific shops and carry a ration book filled with coupons in order to buy essential items.

Rationed foods included sugar, beef cubes, jam, and even digestive biscuits with prices strictly controlled by the government.

This ration book is a powerful reminder of how ordinary families adapted to extraordinary times. 📖

At the British Schools Museum, you can learn about the every day experiences of school life during wartime. Join us and explore our historical classrooms!

This week, our post was written by our student volunteers Charlotte and Nina.

31/05/2026

📚 Step into history with the British Schools Museum at the Hitchin Volunteer Fair next Friday!

📍 Hitchin Market Place
🗓 5th June

Come and discover how you can get involved in bringing history to life. You can support engagement events, supportiexciting hands-on experiences for local schools and families, or find you own DIY project to maintiain our beautiful historical site.

Volunteering at the museum is also a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and become part of a friendly community.

Come and have a chat with us on Hitchin Market Square, find out more about our volunteering opportunities, and get a taste of what makes the museum such a special place.