British Schools Museum

27/05/2026

Can you spot the countries that no longer exist in this incredible 1840s jigsaw puzzle? 🌏

🧩A Jigsaw from approximately 1840. It depicts a map of Asia, where the divisions between the pieces roughly follow the borders, instead of being the semi – regular squares with divots and protrusions we see today. This is likely due to the limitations of 1840s technology – it was only possible to cut jigsaw pieces to the precision we see today after the invention of the ‘jig’ saw in 1870, which is where the puzzles got their name.

🏛The puzzle in the museum’s collection is hand drawn and shows very different borders to what we see today. The country names also differ quite a lot. Maps from this period were often made of mahogany. Dissected puzzles were originally intended to be an alternative way to learn geography for young children and as they grew more popular, the pictures encompassed more subjects such as History.

During the 1840s – 1880s, Jigsaw puzzles gradually drifted away from their original educational purpose and became more of a household leisure activity.

This week, our post was written by Michael, our student volunteer.

26/05/2026

Stay cool this half term and step into a world of fairytales in our refreshingly cool Monitorial Hall. Set within a spacious historic hall, it is the perfect place to enjoy creative crafts while sipping on chilled drinks and enjoying ice lollies.
Tickets are still available for Wednesday and Thursday this week. Secure your spot here: https://bsmevents.yapsody.com/event/index/870761/Fairy-Tale-Crafts-May-HalfTerm-Activities-2026

26/05/2026

We are delighted to be hosting this fantastc event by Hitchin Symphony Orchestra again this year.

Following last year’s successful event, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra is delighted to announce we will be performing a Children’s Concert on an Animal Theme again in 2026, on Sunday 28 June @ 12–1pm and 2–3pm at The British Schools Museum.

This fun and informal concert is designed for children and their families, featuring accessible and short orchestral classics on an Animal Theme. Music will include extracts from The Carnival of the Animals and much more, in a relaxed environment.

The last two years have been sell-outs so don’t delay, get your tickets today!

https://www.ticketsource.com/hitchin-symphony

26/05/2026

Stay cool this half term and step into a world of fairytales in our refreshingly cool Monitorial Hall. Set within a spacious historic hall, it is the perfect place to enjoy creative crafts while sipping on chilled drinks and enjoying ice lollies.

Tickets are still available for Wednesday and Thursday this week. Secure your spot here: https://bsmevents.yapsody.com/event/index/870761/Fairy-Tale-Crafts-May-HalfTerm-Activities-2026

25/05/2026

🎶 Join us at the British Schools Museum for a family concert experience!

Following the success of previous years, we’re excited to welcome back the Hitchin Symphony Orchestra for their much-loved Children’s Concert on an Animal Theme on Sunday 28 June.

Families can enjoy two relaxed performances:
🕛 12–1pm
🕑 2–3pm

Featuring favourite orchestral pieces inspired by animals — including extracts from Carnival of the Animals — this interactive concert is specially designed for children and their families.

🎨 Craft activities will also be available at the Café at the Museum before the first concert and between performances.

🎟 Tickets:
Adults £10 | Children £5 | Under 3s FREE
👉 https://www.ticketsource.com/hitchin-symphony

24/05/2026

✨ Half term fun starts next week!

There’s still time to book your place at our magical fairy tale craft sessions! 🧚

Children will create playful fairy tale figures to take home in our historic Monitorial Schoolroom, with plenty of creativity, imagination and fun along the way.

📅 Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 May 2026
⏰ 10am–12pm
🎟 £8 per participating child

Book now: https://bsmevents.yapsody.com/event/index/870761/Fairy-Tale-Crafts-May-HalfTerm-Activities-2026

24/05/2026

🌸☀️OPENING HOURS DURING MAY HALF TERM☀️🌸

During the half term we are welcoming families for a creative crafts session on

Tuesday (May 26) 10:00-12:00
Wednesday (May 27) 10:00-12:00
Thursday (May 28) 10:00-12:00

Book your places here: https://bsmevents.yapsody.com/event/index/870761/Fairy-Tale-Crafts-May-HalfTerm-Activities-2026

We are open to the public on

Friday (May 29) 10:00-16:00
Saturday (May 30) 10:00-16:00
Sunday (May 31) 10:00-16:00

The Café is open as usual.

19/05/2026

What does this battered little Donald Duck reveal about the rise of cartoon merchandising? 🎬🦆

🧸A rather worn but presumably very loved rubber Donald Duck. This was donated to the Museum with a tentative date of the 1930s. We don't know anything about the child that played with this, but Donald first appeared in a cartoon in 1934 entitled "The Little Red Hen", and got his own series soon after in 1937 so this may have been produced as part of the marketing for this.

19/05/2026

We are proud to have hosted this event to support families across Hertfordshire!

What a fabulous evening we had last Friday and a huge shout out to our "prisoners" on the night for being really good sports! We even had a "prisoner impersonating a prisoner".

Between them they raised over £6,000 which is enough for us to match volunteer family mentors to support 4 families through 1:1 home visiting each week, for up to a year. This is incredible and will make a life changing difference to vulnerable families.

Big thanks also to our judge and master of ceremonies who put on a fabulous show - and to members of the jury for supporting our Jailbreak at Schools Museum.
👏 👏 👏

None of this would have been possible without support from Keith and his team at No-Nonsense Design, we are eternally grateful for you support.

👀 More photos of the event coming soon, this one is just a teaser, with thanks to Bellanova photography

James Nutting Wates Group Balfour Beatty Longmores Solicitors Norgans Hitchin The Defining Collective

15/05/2026

Still looking for the perfect half-term programme? We got it sorted for you!

👸🏽This May half term, children are invited to the British Schools Museum to enjoy a joyful morning of crafting in our historic schoolroom.

From playful fairy tale figures to magical creatures, little imaginations can run wild as children create and take home their own handmade masterpiece🐉

Book your place now:

Fairy Tale Crafts - May Half-Term Activities 2026 at British Schools Museum - Hitchin, . Buy Fairy Tale Crafts - May Half-Term Activities 2026 tickets at Yapsody