Behind the Facade

This Grade II listed building was originally opened in 1901 as a library, school of art and technical school. It was designed in the Art Nouveau style, and evidence for the style can still be found in many places, especially in the interior.

Rose Smith will be your tour Guide, demonstrating both the outside (weather permitting) and interior of the building. She will show how both the architectural style, including the features on the classroom doors, can still be seen simply by walking along the corridors and up the stairs.

A souvenir photograph album showing the building, teachers, pupils and classrooms was produced in about 1913 and is a rare and wonderful discovery from that time.

Your Speaker, Dot Bedenham, will be showing photographs from the amazing album, which gives an insight into the work of the early schools.
Can Dot name particular teachers, even pupils?

The narrative of both Rose & Dot might be interspersed with memories of the later pupils of the schools, some of it quite surprising!

Your visit will begin with a tour of the building and conclude in The Roberts Room, where you can sit to view the visuals and interesting descriptions.

Please arrive 10 minutes before for a prompt start.

Timings & Tours

Friday 12 September:

1030

Tuesday 16 September:

1030

Wednesday 17 September:

1030

Friday 19 September:

1030

Location & directions

Gosport Museum and Art Gallery (GMAG), 19 Walpole Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1NS

Directions:

At the top end of Gosport's pedestrianised High Street, close to Walpole Park. On-road parking beside the venue and carparks close by.

Contact on day:

Dot Bedenham

Telephone number:

+447854213469

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book online via the booking website. If you experience any difficulties with the booking system, please contact us.

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.gosportheritage.co.uk/booking-2025/

Booking opens:

22 Aug 2025 09:30 AM

Booking closes:

09 Sep 2025 05:00 PM

Accessibility details

Step-free access throughout the venue. On-site Changing Places (a facility for youths and adults with high needs). The venue offers a lovely Cafe and a small shop area stocking items from local makers.

Additional information

If you have time, please visit the displays in the Museum, the 'Echoes of Applause' exhibition in the Gallery, and the HODs exhibition 'Nicknames & Narratives' about Gosport being known as 'Turk Town' (all free to enter with NO booking). There will be other HODs events (some bookable talks/tours) happening at the venue, so do feel free to ask if there are any available spaces on these.

Max no of people per tour:

10

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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