kids encyclopedia robot

Barnet Museum facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Barnet Museum
The Museum at Barnet - geograph.org.uk - 24796.jpg
The Museum at Barnet.
Established 1938; 87 years ago (1938)
Location Barnet, London
Public transit access London Underground High Barnet
Barnet Museum 09
Volunteers at the museum.
Barnet Museum 07
Ground floor displays.
Barnet Museum 03
Milk delivery cart.

The Barnet Museum is a cool place to visit in the London Borough of Barnet. It's packed with interesting displays about local history. You can learn about famous events like the Battle of Barnet, and see how things were at the old Barnet Fair and Barnet Market.

The museum also has a special area for people who want to research their family history or learn more about Barnet's past. They have old photos, maps, books, and documents you can look at.

Discover Barnet Museum!

The Barnet Museum first opened its doors in 1938. It's still in the same building today, which is an old Georgian house right in the middle of High Barnet. The museum's collection includes many objects, pictures, and documents. These items were given by local people and groups. They help to keep Barnet's history alive and celebrate its past.

This museum is a registered charity. It's run completely by volunteers from the Barnet and District Local History Society. These dedicated volunteers also host many guided tours for groups and local schools.

You can visit the museum during its public opening hours. It's open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. On Saturdays, it's open from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. On Sundays, you can visit from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The best part? It's free to get in! If you're part of a group or school, you can arrange special visits when the museum is usually closed.

What Can You See at the Museum?

The Barnet Museum has lots of permanent exhibits. This means they are always on display for you to explore. Here are some of the exciting things you can learn about:

The Battle of Barnet

  • Learn all about the famous Battle of Barnet. This important battle happened a long time ago, during the Wars of the Roses.

Archaeology and Old Finds

  • Discover ancient objects found in the area. Most of these are from the medieval period, which was many centuries ago.

Everyday Life in the Past

  • See what everyday items looked like in the 20th Century. You can explore how people lived and what they used in their homes.

Fashion Through Time

  • Check out old costumes, including ladies' dresses, bonnets, and delicate lace. See how fashion has changed over the years!

Old Pubs and Travel

  • Find out about the old public houses (pubs) in Barnet. These places were like hotels and rest stops for travelers. Learn about the "coaching trade," which was how people traveled by horse-drawn carriages.

Local Businesses and Inventions

  • Explore the history of local businesses. One interesting display is about Watsons Microscopes. Another is about the Barnet Ventilator, a special machine that helped people breathe. It's even credited with helping a young Elizabeth Taylor when she was sick!

Community Services

  • Learn about important services in Barnet. This includes the local hospital and the brave Fire Service.

Barnet During World War II

  • Discover what life was like on the home front in Barnet during World War II. See how people in the town helped with the war effort.

School Days in Barnet

  • See how schooling was done in Barnet in the past. What were classrooms like? What did students learn?

The Victorian Room

  • Step back in time to the Victorian period. This room shows you what a typical home might have looked like during Queen Victoria's reign.

See also

  • Gillian Gear
kids search engine
Barnet Museum Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.