Mansfield Museum

Mansfield Museum’s mission is really simple, we want to bring people together to create healthier, proud communities. We’re all about helping local people discover the world around them, cherishing Mansfield's unique stories, and bringing them to life. Our big dream is to be a place where you belong in the hope that everyone can be inspired. We hope that if you visit us during the Easter holidays and throughout April you will receive the warm reception you deserve - we really can't wait to welcome you.

Join us for our biggest Makers Market to date at Mansfield Museum on Saturday 1 April. We are open between 10am and 3pm so come along and purchase locally made gifts and crafts. Entry is free and we are sure you’ll find something to treat yourself or a loved one to!

We have an egg-cellent exhibition for you to visit during the Easter holidays. Take a trip to the Undiscovered Island with us between 1 and 16 April. This immersive exhibition from Makers of Imaginary Worlds is free for all visitors thanks to Arts Council funding so come along and take a walk through a giant coral reef.

We are running daily ARTBEAT! Sessions in the school holidays to provide free, family fun between 10am and 12pm, as follows:

• Tuesday 4 April - Make an egg box coral reef
• Wednesday 5 April - Make loo roll sea creatures!
• Thursday 6 April - Paper plate jellyfish
• Tuesday 11 April - Carnival mask making
• Wednesday 12 April - Origami boats
• Thursday 13 April - Make a suitcase
• Friday 14 April - Make a St George’s Day shield and flag

Have your treasured possessions valued by Bamfords Auctioneers here at Mansfield Museum on the first Thursday of every month between 1pm to 3pm – the next event is 6 April. Bring along your items and find out more about them, including what they are worth!

Our Sanctuary and Games Café runs every fortnight on a Thursday from 1pm until 2.30pm. Come and join us for a cuppa, chat and a board game in our warm, safe space. Forthcoming dates including 30 March and 13 April. Come on your own or bring a friend, everyone is welcome. This is a free event and no booking is required.

Our Swap Shop reopens on Wednesday 19 April until Friday 26 May. We can all do small things to reduce, recycle and reuse and our Swap Shop offers you the chance to do just that. Simply bring along any clean and reusable clothes you wish to donate to the museum and we will give you the equivalent number of tokens. Then 'go shopping' and choose your ‘new to you’ goodies from our stock. We also offer ‘pay what you can’ for anyone browsing without making a donation.

Held on the third Wednesday of the month from 1.30pm to 3pm, The Reminiscence Tea Room is ideal for anyone living with memory loss, their friends and family. Come along on 19 April for tea, cake and a friendly chat with our volunteers. This is a free event and no booking is required.

Our next Stay and Play session for under 5s takes place from 12.30pm to 2pm on Friday 28 April and is themed around the King’s Coronation. Join us at the museum for crafts including making flags and bunting. Why not bring your teddy bears along and join our tea party in the Buxton Gallery?

Learn about the Windrush generation and the impact they had on Mansfield and the surrounding areas in our It Runs Through Us exhibition, here until the end of November.

We’re busy planning the first ever Mansfield Carnival for Saturday 17 June in the Market Place and you’re invited to be part of the dance troupe for it! Maria Slack is running free carnival dance classes at Mansfield Palace Theatre on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm or Ladybrook Community Centre on Thursdays from 6pm to 7.15pm – bring the whole family along for these free and fun sessions.

Please note that we are closed on Good Friday (7 April) and Easter Monday (10 April) to give our staff and volunteers a well-earned rest – and to eat chocolate! You can keep up to date with all the latest news and events online at www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum or follow us on social media @mansfieldmuseum.