50th Anniversary Events

This year we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary, to do this we are running special 50th Anniversary events each month in 2014 alongside our normal events programme. The events are based on themes which represent our core values, and which we continue to champion.

About us…

Ryedale Folk Museum was created by local people out of a passion for their heritage and we have and always will be committed to being a part of the community we inhabit. The Museum began when Wilfred Crosland and his sisters occupied the house and barn that now form the entrance to the Museum. His many interests included collecting old farm implements and craft tools, which he stored and displayed in the barn. After WWII, as Wilfred’s interest became ever more widely known, local people gave more objects; eventually whole buildings came along. Local, Bert Frank, collaborated with practical help and advice, and became the first full-time curator when the Museum officially opened in 1964. It was Mr Frank’s enthusiasm and work which created the Museum’s present shape and character. He was presented with an MBE in recognition of these achievements. Our site and collection grew and we now welcome around 35,000 visitors a year to a collection of 50,000 objects displayed in over 20 buildings.

Community Day

Tuesday 18th February

Our local communities are at the core of everything that we do here at Ryedale Folk Museum. We often work with different community groups, but we are always busy investigating new opportunities and creating new links. To thank our community for their continued support we are giving free entry to Ryedale residents on this day. Please check the events calendar for postcodes that qualify, all you need to do is bring a proof of address.

Volunteers Day

Monday 5th May

We would like to celebrate the special character that volunteers have brought to the museum. Over 100 volunteers contribute to the museum and generously give their time, expertise and enthusiasm across all areas of the Museum’s operations. We were set up by volunteers and without their continued support we simply wouldn’t exist.

We will have Mayday celebrations including, maypole dancing, and crafts for people to enjoy. Alongside this, different voluntary organisations will be invited to display and celebrate their volunteers and the work they do. We hope the event will create a wider network between volunteers and voluntary organisations and provide an opportunity for people who are interested in volunteering to get an idea of what opportunities there are in the area.

Founding Fathers & Wonders of Wood

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June

We would not be here today if it wasn’t for the work of three particularly inspiring men; Wilfred Crosland, Bertram Frank and Raymond Hayes. All three lived in the village of Hutton-le-Hole, the museum’s picturesque location, and rather that just despairing at the continued loss of buildings, objects and traditions from across the Ryedale region, they decided to actually do something about it! Even though they are no longer with us, the years and hard work they put into the foundations of our museum could not go unrecognized. As a celebration of our founding fathers we plan to hold our annual popular Wonders of Wood event, but with a little extra. We will have information around the museum focussing on each of the founding fathers, who they were, what they were about and their role within the museums story – Connecting people to the museum’s origins through personal stories.

As part of this ‘Fathers Day’ weekend we will be providing a discount on family tickets.

Traditional Crafts Weekend

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July

The very first objects we owned were based around traditional methods of working, such as crafts, to preserve these for the future. We at the museum have always been strong believers in ‘getting hands on’ not only with school group activities but with craft demonstrations being held regularly on site.

Our traditional Crafts Weekend is a celebration of all these crafts. We hope to have most craft collections within the museum represented with demonstrations from cooking and lace making to dry stone walling and clog making.

The 60s & Scarecrows Weekend

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August

To celebrate our first summer in August 1964, we wanted to take you back to the swinging 60’s. When we opened, times and culture were very different; and the museum also used to hold regular scarecrow competitions and displays throughout the museum site.

This event is to celebrate the very beginning in the 60’s. We want to celebrate everything that happened in the 60’s from the music and fashion to the first man on the moon and winning the world cup!

Along with the 60’s activities we want people to enter a 60’s themed scarecrow which will be displayed from Monday 4th, judged throughout the week by our visitors, and the winner revealed at the end of Sunday 10th. To celebrate 50 years there will be 50p off the entry fee per person

Transport in Time

Sunday 14th September

Discover how much transport has changed over the years.

We really want people to get involved with these events and take part!