Once upon a time,
before the town of Portsmouth was founded, this coastline was made up of creeks, low-lying marsh and water. Over the centuries the coastline has altered, but the town's position here on the south coast, its proximity to the open sea, coupled with control of the harbour and its entrance, have secured Portsmouth's place in history as one of the world's great anchoranges and a rendevouz for British shipping in times of war for over 800 years. |
Information for Schools
The main feature of the museum is 'The Story of Portsmouth',
shown in four galleries. The first gallery provides the visitor
with an introduction to the history of Portsmouth, including an
audio-visual show.
On the first floor the galleries are thematic. The 'Portsmouth
Picture Gallery' displays the current exhibition of Portsmouth
pictures, paintings and postcards showing scenes of bygone Portsmouth.
The 'Living in Portsmouth' gallery tells the story of life
in the home from the 16th century to the 1950s. This includes a
17th century bedchamber, an 1871 dockyard worker's kitchen, a splendid
Victorian parlour, a 1930's kitchen and a 1950's living room. Most
of the rooms incorporate sound effects and/or figures. The 'Portsmouth
at Play' gallery covers the development of Southsea as a seaside
resort, theatres, cinemas, public houses, coffee bars (including
'Verrechias') and sport. Many of these themes are also shown on
archive film.
In addition to these galleries there is a 'Fine and Decorative
Art Gallery' with displays on furniture, decorative art, ceramics,
glass and textiles and a 'Temporary Exhibition Gallery' with
regularly changing displays.
Records Office
The Records Office Searchroom, situated on the first floor, contains
official records of the City of Portsmouth and large collections
of deposited records of local businesses, families and organisations.
There are collections of photographs, maps and postcards. Postcards
are accessible via an interactive computer screen. Extensive collections
of Anglican, Non-conformist and Roman Catholic church records can
also be explored.
National
Curriculum and Resources
The City Museum is suitable for a wide range of National Curriculum
work and a Resource Pack for KS1 and 2 is available for loan.
History
KS 2 SU 3a - Victorian Britain
KS 2 SU 3b - Britain since 1930
KS 2 SU 5 - Local History
KS 3 SU 3 - Britain 1750-1900
KS 3 SU 4 - The 20th-century World
Geography
KS 1 & KS 2 - Places (SU4)
KS 2 - Settlements (SUa)
Art
KS1 & KS2 - Introduction to works by local artists past and present.
As part of the National Curriculum Study Unit: "Victorian Britain"
we can offer your group a special handling and role play session
on "The Victorians" when you book your visit to the City
Museum and Records Office. These handling sessions are chargeable
and available at the start of each term for two weeks only and will
last approximately one hour on top of your normal visit time in
the museum.
We can also offer your group "What is Evidence?" teaching
sessions that can be adapted to the three curriculum areas: "Victorian
Britain", "Britain Since 1930" or "Local Studies".
Using archives from the Records Office including photographs, maps,
log books, newspaper's etc, children are given the opportunity to
learn about the past by handling primary source material
from which they are asked to deduce a number of facts.
The visit includes a behind the scene tour that answers such questions
as "What are Archives?" "Which ones do we keep?" "How
do we preserve them?" and "Who uses them and why?"
Worksheets are available for follow-up work complete with relevant
maps and photographs, etc. Groups of 15 can be accommodated each
session but it may be possible to take groups of 30 if two members
of the Education staff are available on the date you require. It
is essential that you give at least a term's notice in advance for
groups over 15 in number. These handling sessions are chargeable
and available upon request to the Education Officer and will last
approximately 1½ - 2 hours.
Further details on "Handling and role play sessions" are available
from the Visitor Services Officer and additional educational advice
is available from the Education Officer on Portsmouth +44
(0)23 9282 7261.
A Broad and Balanced Approach to the Curriculum
English
Word - Sentence - Text Texts about the exhibits, using a variety
of genres: information, explanations, lists, recipes, fiction and
playscripts. The History of Portsmouth.
Art
Appreciation of the work of Artists and Craftspeople 2-D and 3-D.
Developing the use of appropriate vocabulary. Landscape - Portrait.
Various media and 'canvas'. Foreground - midground - background.
Content - form - process - mood. Fine Art - materials, techniques.
Mathematics
Collecting Data. Working in different number patterns
I C T
Word processing. Using tape recorders. Early electrical goods.
Geography
Maps of the development of Portsmouth. Physical geography - the
formation of chalk and Portsdown Hill.
History
The History of Portsmouth. Chronology - a line through time from
"early man" to the present day. The History of Portsmouth considering:
Before the Romans. AD43 to 1485. 1500 - 1800 the growth of the Naval
port. Contrasts in Victorian times. Naval town or seaside resort.
Changes in the 20th Century. "Home" through the ages - furniture,
food, washing etc. Differences and similarities to modern day living.
Amusements and pastimes.
Science and Technology Materials.
Forces - Levers and the use of pulleys to lift weights (cooking
pots). Cooking through the ages - appliances and utensils. Recipes
from different times.
Teacher's
Resource Pack - Conditions of Loan
Teacher's Resource Packs are available FREE OF CHARGE to any school
booking a visit to the City Museum and Records Office. Packs may
be borrowed for half a term and can be picked up from The City Museum
& Records Office just prior to the beginning of the half term for
which it is required. Borrowers will be advised of the dates for
collection and return when the pack reservation is confirmed. For
schools unable to pick up their packs in person we offer a postal
service. Schools will be invoiced for postage and insurance costs
when the pack is dispatched.
Teacher's Resource Pack ( Key Stage 2)
This Resource Pack has been collated to aid teachers planning activities
across the curriculum. The changes in curriculum coverage brought
about by the introduction of the Literacy and Numeracy hours has
resulted in less time being available to spend on non-core subjects.
By visiting the City Museum and Records Office and using the suggestions
offered in the Teacher's Resource Pack a broad and balanced curriculum
can be achieved through just one stimulating excursion.

Resource Pack Contents
3 Booklets containing archive material and information
Curriculum Booklet - with ideas for work in the classroom.
Text Booklet - giving information on exhibits and displays.
Portsmouth Pageant - chronological development
44AD - 1980's.
Picture maps and Archive Packs
Victorian Homes - photographs and text from museum displays.
Maps - showing the development of Portsmouth 1540 - 1791.
Photo Pack - room settings and artefacts. Playscript -
transcript of Rag, Tag & Bobtail as seen in 50's room. Mrs. Mouncher's
Journey - tells the story of a morning in the life of a Victorian
housewife using primary source material as historical evidence.
Art Packs
Seascapes - themed pictures from the museum collection. Fine
and Decorative Art - furniture, hangings and sculptures. Find
the Shape - details of parts of photos in Fine Arts Pack. Artists
Impressions - prints & drawings of Portsmouth 1545-1747.
Length of Stay and Group Sizes
The typical visit time by a group is 1 - 1½ hours. The recommended
maximum number arriving at any one time should not exceed 60 pupils.
A teacher/pupil ratio of at least 1:15 is essential. (When school
groups are in the museum, the behaviour of the children or students
is the responsibility of the teacher in charge). When visiting 'Story
of Portsmouth', 'Portsmouth at Play' or temporary exhibitions, it
is advisable to split into smaller groups of 15/20 within the galleries
to avoid overcrowding.
Reserve
a Teacher's Resource Pack
You can reserve a Teacher's Pack by either writing to us
Or you can reserve a pack now on-line.
Payment
Free admission, groups must book in advance book on-line
now.
Booking a Group Visit
For all enquiries, Victorian Laundry Maid sessions and group visits
please telephone Visitor Services direct line +44
(0)23 9229 6905. (An answering machine is available to leave
a message at any time of day when staff are not in the office).Or
you can book a visit now on-line.
Contact Us
For further information please contact
us or
Tel: +44 (0)23 9282 7261 Fax:+44
(0)23 9287 5276
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