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Dressing up at the National Museum of Costume

School visits at the National Museum of Costume

Follow the story of fashion from the 1870s to the 1950s at historic Shambellie House, set in beautiful wooded grounds near Dumfries - an ideal destination for art and design students or even a school picnic!

Clothes can carry a cultural or social meaning and can define a decade, or even a time of day! From strait-laced Victorian dress to wartime Utility wear, put your pupils in the shoes of the people who wore the trends of their time.

  • What was life like for a Victorian school child? Find out first hand when you step back in time at the National Museum of Costume.
  • Explore the fashions of the past through real and replica costume.

What do we offer schools at the National Museum of Costume?

  • Free admission for all pre-booked school groups.
  • Workshops and live interpretation sessions led by experienced facilitators - full details can be found in the schools programmes.
  • Opportunities for students to use the historic collections for further study.
  • Bookable lunchroom (November - February), toilets, museum shop.
  • Download our free teachers' resources to accompany your visit to National Museum of Costume.

“We all looked like real Victorian school children and we enjoyed the lesson. I don’t think we fancied any of the punishments... We’ve learnt loads and enjoyed every second of it.” Cummertrees School

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What are these links?

How to find us

Shambellie House New Abbey, Dumfries DG2 8HQ Tel: 0300 123 6789

Map and directions

Opening times

1 April-31 Oct 10:00 - 17:00 daily
Nov-March by arrangement

To make a booking

Tel: 0131 247 4041
Email: schools@nms.ac.uk

Related pages

  • National Museum of Costume

School programmes

Schools programmes

  • Primary & Pre-school Programme 2011-12
  • Secondary School Programme 2011-12

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130