'People not conditions'
In 1946 Chaseley, an historic house, was converted to care for men whose lives were altered by WWII. One of their first medical consultants was Dr Ludwig Guttmann, who did pioneering work for people with spinal injuries. He later went on to set up the Stoke Mandeville Games for disabled war veterans when London hosted the Olympics. These games are now known as the Paralympics, and today his legacy of care for individuals continues at Chaseley with a focus on adults with complex neuro-disabilities.
Voices for Pride
Allow us to introduce you to James Nehemiah Taylor, a Royal Naval surgeon executed in 1809 for his sexuality. This event, delivered by young people, invites you to explore how 18th and 19th century legislation impacted the real lives of Gosport’s LGBTQ+ community like James.
A History of Drag
Local Drag icon, Kenzie Blackheart, is ready to spill the tea on this art form. At this talk you’re invited to explore its origins, evolution, and consider what might come next.
Stories in fabric
Our heritage stories can be found in different places, told in different ways. Visit this special exhibition to unravel the tales hidden in textiles from African, Chinese, and South Asian cultures. Decode the symbols and find the meanings behind the patterns with interactive displays, artist talks and live demonstrations.
The Windrush generation
You know those adverts promising work in a land of opportunity? Would you leave everything you knew behind to answer one? Thousands of people did after WWII, crossing the sea from the sunny Caribbean to Britain’s rainy shores. This was the Windrush generation, and they helped build back the country’s economy after the war, contributing to our evolving culture along the way. Bring the whole family to explore the passengers’ stories through this new board game. Designed for children but also encouraging multi-generational conversations - roll the dice and see where it takes you.
Children in care
The Foundling Hospital was set up in London by a sailor in 1739 to care for children at risk of abandonment. Over 200 years it provided for 25,000 children, with a focus on preparing them for working lives – apprenticing the boys to trades and teaching the girls domestic skills.
Regional branches were set up in the 18th century for a time, before the central site closed and moved to Hertfordshire in the 20th. Today the original Hospitals are all closed, some are lost, others converted to different uses, but the work to support vulnerable children continues through the charity named after that sailor – Coram.
Find out more about the, sometimes challenging, history of these places, the children and staff, through a range of talks, activities and some very special tours of the sites themselves.
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PLEASE NOTE - These events were accurate at the time of publication but details are subject to change. Check the individual entries for more - including any booking details needed.
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