A Victorian Christmas in Ranfurly House

Ranfurly House was built in 1854 as the Dungannon branch of The Belfast Banking Company.  The building was designed by Lanyon and Lynn, the firm of architects which designed the main buildings for Queen's University in Belfast in 1847.  Ranfurly House is truly a Victorian building, and what better way of celebrating the festive season than using this building's heritage to explore some of the traditions of Christmas from over 100 years ago?

A series of Heritage Education events is on offer for children aged 4 to 14:

Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th December:  Old Time Toys

Also Monday 21st , Tuesday 22nd,  Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th November 2016

Two one hour sessions, at 10.00am and at 11.15am, in which Foundation and Key Stage 1 pupils will have the opportunity to find out about, and to play with, toys from the past, such as skittles, spinning tops and hoop-la.  (Facilitated by Time Steps Living History)

Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th December : Victorian Christmas Art  

Two one and a half hour art sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, facilitated by the artist Hazel Boland, who will show children how to create pieces of Victorian Christmas art.  Each child will leave with a new decoration for the Christmas tree!  Suitable for KS2/KS3 pupils.

Wednesday 7th, Thursday 8th and Friday 9th December:  Victorian Christmas Customs

Two one hour sessions of living history, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, (except for Wednesday when there will be one afternoon session) in which the housekeeper of Northland House from 1895 will talk about and demonstrate the customs and traditions associated with a Victorian Christmas.  (Facilitated by Time Steps Living History)
• Suitable for Key Stage 2 pupils

Cost of all of the above programmes:

• £2 per pupil/£50 per class of up to 30 pupils
• School staff:  free

For more details of any of the above programmes, contact the Education Officer, Peter Lant, at 028 8772 8600, or by email at peter.lant@midulstercouncil.org  

To make a booking, contact Ranfurly House Receptionranfurly@midulstercouncil.org telephone 028 8772 8600.