Herschel 200
Exhibition coming soon….
We’ll be exhibiting some incredible artefacts on loan from the Royal Astronomical Society and Herschel Family Archive which will showcase William’s achievements.
The exhibition will also acknowledge the important contributions of those working with William, including his sister Caroline Herschel.
Family Activities in 2022
During all school holidays we will run brand new family friendly activities and trails.
Our family activities will link closely to the life and work of William Herschel.
Come along and encourage children and young people to find out more about William’s discoveries. Our activities will enable creativity, inspiration and excitement, actively connecting children with science and astronomy.
Check back here for activities during the Summer, Christmas as well as October half-term.
Astronomy – star and solar gazing sessions
We will be running new astronomy sessions this year with Bath Astronomers.
These offer a great opportunity to explore the skies, learn how to use a telescope and find out more about William and Caroline Herschel’s discoveries.
Tickets are now live for our next event: Tuesday 21 June from 10am, Solar Observing on the Summer Solstice
Museum Trails
We are launching two new museum trails in 2022 and the public have voted to choose their favourite objects, which will feature in the new trails.
The trails will launch in July.
We are also working with the Herschel Society to launch a downloadable map this autumn, for anyone looking to visit UK locations connected to William Herschel. More on this later in the year!
Slough Museum Partnership
This year for the first time, we are working with Slough Museum to celebrate the 200 year anniversary across our two locations.
Throughout 2022 there will be a programme of workshops, activities and performances in Slough to celebrate the life and work of William Herschel, as well as the important role played by his sister Caroline Herschel.
UK artist Lynda Laird will be bringing an art installation to Slough later this year.
Saint Laurence Church, where William Herschel was married and is now buried will also feature on our new downloadable Herschel trail.
Working with schools and further education
In 2022 we are working with a local school to inspire creative outputs relating to the life and work of William Herschel. Students from Bath Spa University will also work with us on curatorial content.
We can run museum and classroom sessions for schools. Visit our Learning Page to find out more.
Working with our local community centre
In 2022 we are excited to work in partnership with Percy Community Centre and the University of Bath.
We are launching a programme of family workshops and activities including planetarium shows, free to enjoy for the families that use this centre.
A new stonework commission
On Thursday 25 August this year, on the date of the 200th anniversary of William Herschel’s death, we will unveil a new piece of stonework for the garden.
This will commemorate the anniversary and mark the location where the planet Uranus was discovered, also acting as a level platform for telescopes in the garden.
This aspect of our project enables us to work with a local artist-maker and support an independent creator based in Bath.
