Sociable History Club

Come along to our friendly talks for adults, every first Friday of the month. Drop in, no need to book. Please note, these talks are sometimes busy - entry is on a first come first served basis. Refreshments provided.

Leeds City Museum is a Give What You Can venue. We don't want price to be a barrier to a great experience. Simply pick the price you can give when you arrive at the museum, and enjoy your visit.

See below a list of speakers and topics for our upcoming sessions.

Friday 2 August

Leeds Stories by the Second World War Experience Centre

Anne Wickes will join us to share the stories of local Leeds soldiers, sharing wartime documents, letters and photographs to handle and explore. 

Friday 5 September

Literature in Leeds: prose, poetry and plays

We'll be joined by Patrick Bourne, Assistant Community Cuator at Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey, to learn about Abbey House Museum's latest exhibition, a community display celebrating writers from Leeds.

Friday 3 October

The Archaeology of Magic

What do a shoe, a mummified cat and a cauldron have in common? Come to Leeds City Museum to find out, learn what apotropaic magic is and discover how we can use archaeology to explore beliefs people may never have written down.

Friday 7 November

The Cost of War - The History and Role of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

This talk on the history and role of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will illustrate how the CWGC ensures that the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth that died in the world wars are commemorated across 23,000 sites in over 150 countries, so that the human cost of war is remembered for ever. The talk will also focus on the Yorkshire and Leeds contribution in the world wars with some poignant stories of those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and who are commemorated by the CWGC.

Friday 5 December

Sumptious Silver at Temple Newsam by Rathi Tamilselvan