Following last year’s success, the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum will be participating in the National Museums at Night event for a second year running.
The Museum will be opening its doors on Friday 16 May and Saturday 17 May, from 9.00pm – 11.00pm for booked visitors. The event takes the form of a guided walk through the Museum stopping at some of the houses to discover what the hours of dusk and darkness meant to the people who lived there in the past. Discover who would be out after dark, what they would be doing and how they lit their homes, kept warm and made their tea.
During the hours of dusk and darkness visitors can enjoy a summer evening at the Museum’s stunning location which is situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Each house will have crackling open fires and will be authentically illuminated. If it is a clear night visitors will be treated to a glorious red sunset and some wonderful wildlife including owls and bats. Hot drinks will be served at the end of the evening.
Richard Pailthorpe, Museum Director commented: “The Museum is a magical place at dusk and during darkness - it gives visitors a unique experience. Today we are so accustomed to our homes being lit up, that it is difficult to imagine how our ancestors lived with only a candle or rush light for seeing in the dark.”
To avoid disappointment early booking is strongly recommended. Tickets cost £15 each and can be purchased in the Museum shop or booked by phone: 01243 811021 or 01243 811931.
Museums at Night is the annual after-hours celebration of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of Museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events. It is coordinated by Culture24, and takes place over the weekend of Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May 2014. For further information visit www.museumsatnight.org.uk
