BUCKINGHAM OLD GAOL & MUSEUM

Would your school like to visit our museum and learn about some local history?

We are always working hard to broaden the tours and activities we offer to schools.

We are flexible. What's your study focus? How long do you want to spend at the Old Gaol? We can tailor your visit to meet your needs.

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The topics we offer are:

• General History: Although set out as a chronological history of Buckingham specifically, the content of the museum is representative of settlements all around England.

• Crime and Punishment: Having started life as a gaol, the museum still retains many features of its original function. It's therefore an ideal venue for those with an interest in the development of crime and punishment through the ages.

• Buildings: As well as the gaol itself, there are many buildings very close by which illustrate the local history of construction.

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A school visit generally consists of some, or all, of the following:

• A short talk about the gaol, often given by a volunteer in costume as 'the Old Gaoler', William Giles, who ran the gaol in 1839.

• A guided tour of the museum (either with a general history, crime and punishment focus or mixture).

• A session handling artefacts from circa 1880-1950. These are related to the home, work and school. Children become history detectives and try to explain the function and age of the objects. It's good fun!

• If appropriate, a guided walk around Buckingham old town, looking at sites of historical interest or sites of Buckingham crimes.

• Visit an original cell - exactly as it used to be!

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Because the museum is a genuine old gaol, the galleries are adapted old cells and therefore relatively small. For class visits we split into two groups whilst in the museum. One has the guided tour whilst the other handles the artefacts. They then swap over.

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We are also able to work with you on specific projects - as we have done in 2024 with Furze Down School and the NPHT virtual museum.