Summer Holiday Activity
Join us at the museum Wednesday 6th August for a special historical performance and interactive activity.
To celebrate Jamaican Independence Day we will be highlighting Mary Seacole and her work all day. Follow in Mary Seacole’s footsteps and ‘Mix A Medicine’! Diagnose an injured soldier, choose a remedy to make them better, and mix it up. Learn about Seacole’s work, herbal remedies, and the Crimean War in this interactive activity.
Our extra special performances of ‘Meet Mary Seacole’ will be at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm. Hear about her life and how she helped soldiers during the Crimean War. Discover her story and find out how she became known as ‘Mother Seacole’.
More about Mary Seacole:
Mary Seacole was born in 1805 in Jamaica. Her mother was of African heritage and her father was a Scottish army officer. She was a ‘doctress’ who practised Creole or Afro-Caribbean medicine and learnt nursing and herbalism from her mother. In September 1854, Mary heard about the Crimean campaign and she was struck with the thought of looking after the troops she had known in Jamaica. She travelled to the Crimea and set up her own business, the British Hotel, which was a general store and also a place where soldiers could come to be nursed. She also rode out to the battlefield to nurse soldiers and would perform operations. She was affectionately known by the troops as Mother Seacole, because of the care she gave them. After returning to London after the war Mary wrote her autobiography The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands, which was published in 1857 and is still in print today. She continued to practice as a ‘doctress’ in London and when visiting Jamaica.
Mary Seacole is part of the national curriculum for 5-6 year olds in Key Stage 1. The activitiy and performances are suitable for people of all ages. So join us at the museum and bring learning to life!
