1152 Club: Talks at Abbey House Museum

We meet in the Gatehouse at Abbey House Museum one Tuesday a month. Doors open at 10am and talks begin at 10.15am. Tea and coffee is provided on a Pay As You Feel basis. Highlights of a selection of upcoming talks can be found below.

Tuesday 3 June

The Sheila Bownas Collection - with Natalie Raw

Sheila Bownas was a print designer for textiles and wallpapers, working in Yorkshire, from the 1950s to 1970s. She sold her designs to the likes of M&S, John Lewis and Liberty's. Join Leeds Museums and Galleries' Curator of Costume and Textiles Natalie Raw to explore this fascinating collection and story. 

Tuesday 8 July

From Mudge to Maxim: The Evolution of Inhalers and Respiratory Care in the Home - with Dr Louise Atkinson

In this talk, Dr Louise Atkinson explores the fascinating history of inhalers, using objects from the collections of Leeds Museums and Galleries to explore how people have attempted to provide respite from respiratory illness over the years. From the 18th-century pewter "Mudge" inhaler to the early 20th-century "Maxim" version, these devices reveal changing approaches to health, breathing, and the management of respiratory conditions.

Tuesday 9 September

A history and heritage talk.

Tuesday 7 October

The Great Mortality: Black Death in Yorkshire, 1348-50 with Morticia

The outbreak of plague in 1348 in Britain had a massive impact across the country and high mortality levels. This talk by local artist and historian Morticia will look at how it affected people overall, what they did to look after themselves, and how the parish of Adel and surrounding areas in particular fared during the outbreak.

Tuesday 4 November

Commonwealth War Graves

With Brian Joyce.

Tuesday 9 December

A history and heritage talk.