Tolson event celebrates women’s history
The Tolson Museum in Huddersfield will pay tribute to ‘Excellent Women’ on Saturday, 7 September.
What is it all about?
The free event, organised by Kirklees Council, celebrates women’s history in Kirklees and beyond, with themes of women who inspire and those with stories that deserve to be told.
What will be there?
Open between 11am and 4.30pm, there will be costumed interpreters, craft activities for all ages, object handling, a women’s history trail around the museum, community stalls, talks and an engagement wall where visitors can add the names of women who inspire them.
Cllr Rob Walker, Cabinet member for Culture & Environment said:
“This event recognises women’s journey throughout the ages to overcome hardships and defeat inequalities. Both the event, and supporting exhibitions, provide an engaging insight into the work of women and offer an opportunity share inspirational stories others can learn from.
Going back to Victorian times, women were very limited not only by their gender but also by class. It was a time when women we’re expected to stay at home to care for the family and respectability.
Whilst this outlook has thankfully changed, the stories still resonate in today’s society with some women still facing pay gaps and inequality issues.”
As part of the event there will be two talks, with the most popular expected to by author and historian Jill Liddington who will bring to life the story of Ann Lister and her diaries, made famous worldwide by the recent BBC television series ‘Gentleman Jack’.
In her talk, starting at 2pm, Jill will also reflect on writing women’s history for the last four decades. The talk will be followed by a Q&A session and a book signing. There will also be a cash only bookstall of a selection of Jill’s books.
That will be preceded at 1pm by Rebecca Machin, Curator of Natural Science at Leeds Galleries and Museums, who will talk about ‘Gender and Sexuality in Natural History Museums’. She will look at how natural history collections and displays are not always as scientific as they might first appear.
How can I book?
Free tickets for these talks must be booked at here
In addition, event goers will have an opportunity to view two women-inspired exhibitions currently showing at Tolson Museum. ‘Our Fight for the Voting Right’ celebrates local women who were part of the movements who fought for and won the right to vote and ‘A Woman’s Work is Never Done’ is a photographic exhibition of women at work in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Want to know more?
For further information contact Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road, Huddersfield, tel: 01484 223240.