National Museums Liverpool May half-term FREE events
(Its a very long list)
Seized – Revenue and Customs Uncovered (Opens 17 May 2008)
Open daily 10am–5pm
Inside Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool
Telephone 0151 478 4499
Museum highlights
Come and explore the all new Seized – Revenue and Customs Uncovered gallery where all is not what it seems. A world of smuggling, tax evasion, protest and war, be amazed by objects used to smuggle contraband. Learn what life was like working on the dockside and try your hand at steering a cutter, avoiding pirates and spotting suspects.
Dock Watch
May 31
11am–4pm
Take a closer look at the creatures in the waters of the Albert Dock with our team of museum experts and their underwater cameras. (all)
Rummage
May 26
1, 1.30, 2, 2.30 3, 3.30pm
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a Customs Officer? Come and search our ship to see if you can spot any signs of smuggling. Pick up a free ticket at the welcome desk. (all)
Explore customs
May 24, 25
1–4pm
Come, get your hands on our collections and explore the issues of endangered animals, smuggling and fakes. Includes dressing up for under 7s. (all)
Custom cutters
May 29
1–4pm
Join us for this workshop and find out about the fastest boats on the high seas. (all)
Storytelling with Customs
May 30
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Hear stories about some of the endangered animals that Customs work to protect. (all)
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Free Entry
Open daily 10am- 5pm
Port Sunlight Village, Wirral
Telephone 0151 478 4136
Gallery highlights
With its intimate atmosphere, this is a great place to introduce younger members of the family to art. Home to the extensive personal collection of its founder William Hesketh Lever, this stunning gallery contains amazing treasures around every corner.
Spring storytelling
May 27, 29
1, 2 & 3pm
Spring into the season by joining our gallery themed storytelling sessions in the gallery followed by fun hands-on craft activities. (under 8s)
Life of the Lady Lever
May 28, 31
1, 2 & 3pm
Discover, through the eyes of a Sunlight Soap factory worker, the story of the gallery and its collection. Then join us for hands-on craft activities in our education room. (all)
Walker Art Gallery
Open daily 10am- 5pm
William Brown Street, Liverpool
Telephone 0151 478 4199
Free Entry
Free exhibitions
Art in the Age of Steam
18 April to 10 August
Capturing the excitement of the steam train, from the earliest days of 1830s to the end of the line in the 1960s, this exhibition explores how artists responded to the extraordinary impact steam trains had on the landscape and society.
Exhibition organised in partnership with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, USA.
Ben Johnson’s Liverpool Cityscape 2008 and the World Panorama Series
24 May to 2 November 2008
This exhibition features the finished Liverpool Cityscape as well Johnson’s other world cities series of paintings, including Zürich, Hong Kong, Paris, Jerusalem and Chicago.
Ben Johnson cityscape
1–4pm May 28 & 29
Join Juliet Staines and create your own artwork inspired by Ben Johnson’s Liverpool Cityscape. Drop-in session. (over 5s)
International Slavery Museum
Open daily 10am- 5pm
Albert Dock, Liverpool
Telephone 0151 478 4499
Free entry
The International Slavery Museum is the only national museum in the world to deal with transatlantic slavery and its legacies. Liverpool, central to the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th century, is a fitting location for this groundbreaking museum. Containing dynamic, powerful and moving displays on the horrific trade, the museum uncovers the largely hidden account of the exploitation of Africa and Africans. A gallery on the legacy of transatlantic slavery, both contemporary as well as historic, reflects issues that are relevant to the world today.
African woodcarving
May 25, 26
1–4pm
See African woodcarving on the Life in West Africa gallery (all)
African beats
May 27
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Feel the beat with an afternoon of African drumming and tribal dance. (all)
African batik
May 28
1–4pm
Drop in for a fun-filled afternoon of craft activities and learn all about the art of African batik. (all)
African arts and crafts
May 29
1–4pm
Try your hand at African art and make your own mask to take home. (all)
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Open Daily 10am-5pm
Albert Dock, Liverpool
Telephone 0151 478 4499
Free entry
Museum highlights
Set sail and drop anchor for a fun day out with the whole family at Merseyside Maritime Museum. Come and explore our large and varied collections that reflect the seafaring importance of Liverpool as a gateway to the world.
Free exhibitions
Magical History Tour
Until 27 September 2009
Come and join in as we celebrate 800 years of Liverpool’s History in a whirlwind rollercoaster of discovery. Once a tiny fishing village, Liverpool became a bustling Victorian city with worldwide significance. Our tour through Liverpool’s history will give you a chance to explore the city’s most influential years.
Are the peasants revolting?
May 25, 29
1, 2 & 3pm
Eleanor de Montague, our lady in waiting, helps you discover more about life in medieval Liverpool. (all)
All aboard the Shackamaxon
May 24, 25
1–4pm
Step back in time and meet William Hollbeck Boson aboard the Shackamaxon as he gets ready to sail to New York. (all)
Punch and Judy
May 28
1, 2 & 3pm
Boo the heroes and cheer the villains in Professor Codman’s traditional and time honoured entertainment. (all)
The leaving of Liverpool
May 26, 27
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Join our travellers and listen to their tales of hope and fear on their way to a new land. (all)
Sea urchins
May 28
1, 2 & 3pm
Bring your little ones to play and listen to stories on the first floor early years gallery. (under 5s)
Lights out!
May 28
1–4pm
Meet Albert our Air Raid Patrol warden in the Piermaster’s House.
Knots, tubs and chisels
May 24, 25
1–4pm
Meet a traditional maritime craftsman.
Ship bottling with Des Newton
May 29
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Join Des and see how it’s done. (all)
Titanic – The quartermaster’s story
May 31
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Robert Hichins was at the wheel when Titanic hit the iceberg. Hear his fascinating story told by our resident actor. (All)
World Museum Liverpool
Free entry
Open daily 10am – 5pm
William Brown Street, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Telephone 0151 478 4393
Free Planetarium
Come and explore outer space without even leaving your chair in our exciting show about space and astronomy for adults and children over five. Tickets available from the information desk, from 10am and up to five minutes before each performance
Mon to Fri 2.30 & 3.15pm
Sat & Sun 2.15, 3.15 & 4.05pm
Special programme
Mon to Fri 4.05pm The Winter Night Sky, specially for adults and over 7s
Sat & Sun 1.15pm The Sunshine Show, especially for under 7s.
1.45pm The Winter Night Sky’, specially for adults and over 7s
Additional shows at holiday times
Treasure House Theatre
At the Treasure House Theatre, we hold all sorts of exciting and interesting events in our 80-seater theatre. All tickets are free from the information desk. This, our Capital of Culture year we offer a programme that includes:
Ancient civilisations
Pop in and see one of our 20-minute films covering subjects such as Ancient Egypt, Saxons, Vikings, and Romans in Britain.
Food for thought
Visit our Time Travel café where our intrepid chef and waiter will take you on a journey through the history of food. Discover how our ancestors fished, grew, fought and found their dinner. But you’ll have to race to get back in time to save the café from closing, before the dodgy TASTIE machine leaves you stranded.
Samurai armour
Discover the armour of the Samurai warrior in this demonstration using replica 16th century armour. This is your chance to get up close and personal with a piece of history.
Molly the friendly blue whale
Join Rosie or Captain Undersea in this tall tale of a brave whale that escapes a cruel captain, “Boo” and save her friends in a storm – “Hooray”. (ages 3-7)
For above dates and times call 0151 478 4393 or visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Close encounters with spiders
May 24
2.15 & 3.30pm
Join Jenny Dobson from the Bug House and meet some amazing arachnids. Learn about their fascinating world and relatives. (all)
Live video links
May 26
3.30pm
Visit our website and click What’s On for news of exciting live links. (all)
