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The British Schools Museum proudly proclaims itself as the Home of the Education Revolution, a claim that may seem audacious at first, but one that holds a remarkable amount of truth. Nestled within its walls is an authentic early Victorian school, a relic from the 1830s that has remained astonishingly untouched since its inception. The roots of this museum can be traced back to 1810, when an old malthouse on Queen Street underwent a magnificent transformation, becoming a schoolroom that catered to the needs of 200 boys and 100 girls - the underprivileged children of Hitchin.
Within the museum, four genuine school classrooms await, each offering a unique and immersive experience. The first of these is the Monitorial Classroom, a grand hall constructed in 1837, designed to accommodate a staggering 300 boys, all under the tutelage of a single Master. Witnessing row upon row of boys seated on long benches, their eyes fixed upon the Master, is an awe-inspiring sight that transports visitors to a bygone era.
The second classroom, known as the Gallery Classroom, was erected in 1853 to accommodate 110 students As the years passed, the Queen Street school flourished, eventually welcoming a staggering 700 local students by 1905. To cope with this influx, two additional classrooms were constructed, a testament to the ever-growing demand for education.
Stepping foot into the British Schools Museum is akin to peering through a window into the captivating world of Victorian schooling. It is a place where history comes alive, where the echoes of the past reverberate through the halls, and where the stories of countless children intertwine with the present.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
British Schools Museum, 41-42 Queen Street, Hitchin, United Kingdom
