Vestry House Museum has produced themed loan boxes which can be borrowed by local schools and community groups free of charge. Depending on demand, schools outside Waltham Forest may be able to borrow the boxes on payment of an administration charge.

The loan boxes produced by Vestry House Museum provide a unique resource for schools. Children are given the opportunity to handle historical artifacts, and to learn how to observe, investigate and interpret objects which are not entirely familiar to them.

Experiencing how heavy a flat-iron is, practising addition and subtraction with a skittles set, discussing why a particular object may have become badly scratched in one place or seeing a tin of dried eggs and deducing that fresh eggs were not easily available during the Second World War, these are all learning experiences which provide children with new knowledge and skills, and a new perspective on life in the 21st century.

All the boxes have been successfully used with a wide range of age groups and subjects. Examples include basic maths and science, a starting point for creative writing, social history, investigating materials, observational drawing and ideas for design and technology.  

Themes of the boxes

The Home Front in World War Two

36" x 20" x 20"

This box contains 13 different authentic objects which can be handled by children in class, including a tin of dried egg, incendiary bomb (disarmed), baby's gas mask, warden's steel helmet, ration book and national identity card. There are also 10 different authentic objects mounted in a frame, 30 slides with accompanying notes, 10 minute tape recording with transcript and notes, two books "Life in Wartime Britain" by E R Chamberlain and "We'll Eat Again" by Marguerite Patten and a ringbinder combining guidelines, background information and notes on objects.

Victorian domestic life

27" x 18" x 12"

The popularity of our original Victorian Domestic life Box has led to the museum producing a duplicate box. Both boxes contain roughly the same items and include 16 different authentic Victorian objects which can be handled by children in class such as a stone hot-water bottle, washing board, cabbage presser and candle snuffers.There is also 20 slides illustrating aspects of Victorian domestic life, extensive notes, suggestions for how some of the objects can be demonstrated and two reference books.

Toys and games

24.5" x 16.5" x 111"

The popularity of our original toys and games box has led to the museum producing a duplicate box. Both boxes contain a wide range of replica toys and games, including spinning tops, diabolo, colour-wheel, skittles, shove ha'penny, yo-yo, conkers, marble games, solitaire and a box of multicultural board games with instructions for their use and suggested themes of study. There are also 14 colourful information panels to pin up on the walls (topics include playground games; spinning tops from round the world) and suggestions for a project looking at the changing aspects of toys and games in Waltham Forest.

Washday

27" x 18" x 12"

This box was produced in conjunction with the Land of Laundries Exhibition held at Vestry House during 1998. Launched in September 1998 this box contains items commonly used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries during washday, including a washing board, pegs, scrubbing brush, flat iron, trivet, tongs, packet of Reckitt's blue and sunlight soap. The items come with a full description on how they were used and is recommended for groups studying either the Victorian period or Britain since 1930.

Transport arrangements

Borrowers will need to collect the loan boxes from Vestry House and return them.

Please note that the Home Front in World War Two box is very bulky and heavy. It requires two people to carry them (you will get help at the Vestry House Museum end) and a hatch-back car.

Loan period

All loan boxes may be borrowed for a maximum of two weeks. Given their popularity, borrowers are encouraged to book well in advance, by telephone on 020 8509 1917.

The school or community group will be responsible for:

  • Collecting/returning the box
  • Insurance of the box whilst out of the museum
  • Payment for damage caused to the box or items beyond usual wear and tear.

For further information and to book the boxes please contact the museum.