Explore our local history as part of Heritage Open Day events

Local history will be brought to life with guided tours, talks and visits to historical buildings as part of Heritage Open Days from 11 - 20 September.

The Council’s museums, castles and libraries will be hosting a number of events and activities, including:

• Discover 500 years of history on a tour around the grounds and ruins of Sandal Castle or for those brave enough, why not take a tour of the Pontefract Castle dungeon.

• Go behind the scenes and discover some of the wonders of Wakefield Museums and Castles Collections on the Museum Store Tour. Led by experts in the collections team, delve into a treasure trove of objects from Wakefield’s past. And find out how the Wakefield Museums and Castles team keep them safe.

• Wakefield Libraries are launching a freely accessible digital edition of the George Fox manuscripts. These chart a unique handwritten and illustrated journey through the history of Pontefract by one of the 19th century’s most passionate local historians. There will also be a launch event at Pontefract Library on Saturday 12 September where there will be the opportunity to view the rarely seen original manuscripts.

• The whole family can join storyteller Beccy Dye for an interactive storytelling session at Pontefract Castle. Discover stories about everyday people from Pontefract’s past doing extraordinary things.

• Join the creative team behind ‘The Dispensary and Hermitage: Celebrating Pontefract’s Unique Heritage’ for a fascinating talk and insight into this digital interpretation project. Learn more about the dispensary and the 14th century hermitage it’s built on top of. See virtual reality and immersive technologies bring these spaces to life.

Other highlights include:

• The Art House will be hosting two very special open days – opening parts of the building so visitors can explore the 119-year-old former Carnegie Library.

• At Waterton’s Wall and Parkland people can learn about Charles Waterton; the environmentalist, explorer, and creator of the world’s first nature reserve.

• A chance to climb Wakefield Cathedral’s tower and see Wakefield from a new perspective.

• Castleford Civic Society have recently appointed two new town criers. Come along and listen to Town Crier Barbara talk about the historical role of a Town Crier.

• Visit the Elizabeth Love Museum in Pontefract for a brand-new exhibition ‘The Hidden Lives of Elizabeth & Joe Love: A special exhibition’. This new exhibition will be available for the first time on Wednesday 16 September. Together Joe and Elizabeth Love amassed an amazing collection, including antiques, Castleford Pottery and 25 long case clocks.

• West Yorkshire Astronomical Society will give a short talk about the Rosse Telescope at the WYAS Rosse Telescope and Observatory, followed by a look around the observatory.

• West Yorkshire History Centre’s Behind the Scenes Tour is a great opportunity to get a backstage tour of the district’s archives – they care for over eight miles of historic records in safe storage in this purpose-built archive building.

• Wakefield Theatre Royal will be opening its doors for people to walk around the building, visit an exhibition and take part in family activities.

All events are free to attend. For more information on timings and advance bookings visit https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/heritage-open-days-wakefield/