Museum Visitors

History

People have been living and working on the Dragon Hall site for at least one thousand years.

This was a desirable place to live. It was sandwiched between two major lines of communication, King Street and the river Wensum.

The earliest buildings that we know about on the site were Anglo-Saxon huts with timber walls and roofs thatched with bracken. In the 14th century (1300-1399) the first substantial houses were built. The Abbey of Woburn owned a smoke house on one part of the site. A wealthy merchant occupied a high status open hall house on the other part.

By the early 15th century (1400-1499) the site was owned by one person, Robert Toppes. In that year oak timbers were felled for the construction of a great trading hall, the focal point of Dragon Hall today. However, Dragon Hall's heyday was short. It was sold and divided up after Toppes died in 1467.

During the 19th century (1800-1899) Dragon Hall was home to pubs, shops and businesses. The land between the Hall and the river was a maze of poor quality housing. The early years of the 20th century were not kind to Dragon Hall. 'Slum clearance' and industrial decline took its toll and the area was in danger of becoming derelict.


Events

25-Jun-2013Rag Rug Making

Tuesday 25 June, 10.30 am – 4 pm

Rag Rug Making

Rag rug making has been used for centuries to recycle fabrics for use in the home.  Expert rag rugger Jo Scholfield takes you through the techniques and materials of this traditional art to transform and recycle everyday fabrics into extraordinary functional pieces of art.  Previous participants on this course are welcome to come back and join in.

Cost: £28

Book here



27-Jun-2013Crochet

Thursday 27 June, 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

Crochet 

Let your imagination, and your fingers, run wild in this creative workshop exploring the function and fantasy of free form crochet.  The traditions of this craft have been re-invented and crochet is now hyperbolic and hyper stylish, so come and get carried away.  Some knowledge of crochet techniques would be helpful, although the basics will be covered in the workshop.  Led by Sue Maton.

Cost: £28

Book here


02-Jul-2013Weaving with a Difference

Tuesday 2 July, 10.30 am – 4 pm


Weaving with a Difference


Using found objects as a starting point, items such as driftwood, willow, metal shapes, old picture frames, card etc can all be used as weaving frames for creating shaped or 3D work.  They can even be left in place as part of the finished work.  Experiment with inspirational weaver June Croll.


Cost: £28


Book here


16-Jul-2013Feltmaking

Tuesday 16 July, 10.30 am – 4 pm


Feltmaking


Come and spend an enjoyable day discovering the fascination of feltmaking with textile artist, Sue Scheller. Use colourful merino wool fibres to create your own individual piece of work with the traditional wet hands-on method. This could then be used as a cushion or bag panel, small triangular bag or a wall hanging.

Cost: £28

Book here


21-Jul-2013Sunday Guided Tour
Join one of our expert volunteer guides for a tour around Dragon Hall. No booking required. Included in admission price.Tour starts at 2pm from Reception.