Celebrate Kent’s rich history and heritage in an action-packed day of hands-on activities, popular talks and art and craft for all the family at Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery on Saturday 3 June.
The Kent History Showcase, organised by the Kent Archaeological Society, in partnership with Dover Museum and the Maison Dieu, involves nearly 20 museums, archives and heritage partners from across the county, who will be showcasing their sites and collections in Dover Museum and the Market Square from 10am to 4pm.
The theme for the event is Journeys, with participants sharing wide-ranging content – from the Dover Bronze Age Boat to medieval pilgrims, and from shipwreck finds to cross-Channel voyages.
The replica Dover Bronze Age boat will be on display in the Market Square (in addition to the real one in the museum) with archaeologists on hand to share their expertise.
The team from Canterbury Cathedral will explore the theme of pilgrimage, and other links between Canterbury and Dover, including St Martin.
Rough Musicke are providing medieval musical accompaniment to the event on a range of traditional instruments and will lead visitors to the seafront at lunchtime for the launch of the We Are All Winners artwork. This celebrates the Via Francigena pilgrim route, which passes through Dover on its journey from Canterbury to Rome.
There are lots of exciting activities for children, including working with illustrator Hannah Bryan to create a giant collage of cross-Channel journeys through history – from early boats and ships, to hot air balloons, hovercraft and the Channel Tunnel. Children will also be able to have a go at writing with a quill pen, make corn dollies and create exotic medieval animals.
The event also includes a short talks programme in the adjacent community cinema, with content ranging from the world-wide links of Dover’s Maison Dieu, to an introduction to Canterbury Christ Church University’s Kent-Maps-Online.
Visits to other historic sites within easy walking distance are also part of the programme, including to St Mary’s Parish Church, which is hosting From the Camino to the Hajj, an exhibition of world pilgrim photos.
The Showcase is suitable for all ages.
For free tickets please visit https://www.maisondieudover.org.uk/events/kent-history-showcase-journeys
Organised by the Kent Archaeological Society in partnership with Dover Museum and the Re-awakening the Maison Dieu outreach team. With generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.