Museums in a Box – celebrating innovation at Elsecar

As part of a pilot project during October half term, families in Barnsley will have the opportunity to try out the Elsecar ‘Museum in a Box’ before anyone else – discovering the magical machine and bringing to life the amazing heritage of Elsecar through unique artefacts.

‘Museum in a Box’ uses a combination of cutting-edge 3D printing, postcard reproductions, and audio recordings to create a mini digital museum that young people can use to get hands-on with history. The first box to be launched will be at Elsecar Heritage Centre during October half term, telling the story of a forgotten hero of the industrial age, Benjamin Biram.

Benjamin Biram was the Earl Fitzwilliam’s steward in the 1850s. He managed the running of the Earl’s collieries, ironworks and industrial workshops in Elsecar – the Earl’s model industrial village. He was also concerned with the safety of his workers and, alongside his day job, masterminded a number of important technological inventions that helped to transform coal mining across the UK. His inventions included a miner’s safety lamp and one of the first practical anemometers, for measuring airflow underground.

The ‘Museum in a Box’ educational project has received generous funding from the Foyle Foundation, secured by Barnsley Museums & Heritage Trust. It will see Barnsley Museums develop a special learning resource for each museum which will be available to book for local schools from spring 2019.

Drop into the Visitor Centre to see the Elsecar Museum in a Box from 10am-4pm between 27th October – 4th November.

This activity is free with donations welcome. All children to be accompanied by an adult.

For more activities and events happening across Barnsley Museums this October half term view our What’s On guide.