Samuel Johnson's 317th Birthday Celebrations
Community

Samuel Johnson's 317th Birthday Celebrations

When

Saturday, 19 September 2026, 11:30 – 17:30

The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

9 Breadmarket Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LG

Time

11:30 – 17:30

Price guide

Not listed — worth a quick ask

Get the full details

Join us in celebrating Samuel Johnson’s 317th birthday and the 125th anniversary of the Birthplace Museum. Mark the occasion with a slice of cake and enjoy a day filled with free activities for all ages. Step back in time with engaging living-history demonstrations, where you can meet costumed characters from the past, including a Georgian cook showcasing what people ate in the 1700s. Watch a skilled calligrapher at work, then try your own hand with quill and ink in our Workroom, or explore the museum with our fun family trail.

Pop it in my calendar
Share:X / TwitterFacebookWhatsApp

Location

Loading map…

Open in Google Maps

Spotted something off? Help us put it right →

This event was originally posted by The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. Visit their site for the latest details.

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.

While you're in the area...

Samuel Johnson's Lichfield - A Walking Tour
Community
Around £6

Samuel Johnson's Lichfield - A Walking Tour

Discover Samuel Johnson’s Lichfield with a guided walking tour around the city. Starting at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, learn more about the locations that shaped Johnson and those closest to him. Meet outside the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum at 2pm. The tour will last approximately 2 hours. Tickets cost £6 per person. Pre-booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling . Tickets can also be purchased online via our Eventbrite page. Please be advised that there will not be any places to sit during the walk. There may be uneven surfaces along the route, so please wear sensible footwear. It is also advisable to dress appropriately for the weather. Please note – we recommend that this walk is not suitable for children under 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sat 6 Jun15:00The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
via The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
via The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Marie Antoinette and the Fashion of Versailles
Community

Marie Antoinette and the Fashion of Versailles

Step into the dazzling world of 18th‑century Versailles as designer and dress historian Gemma Thompson brings the fashions of Marie Antoinette’s court to life. In this talk and live demonstration, Gemma will be dressed in a robe à l’anglaise like the one seen in Marie Antoinette’s portraits — revealing the hidden details of construction, fit, and silhouette that can’t be seen in paintings. Through stories of Rose Bertin, the rise of the royal marchandes de modes, and the influence of Versailles from the reign of Louis XIV to the arrival of Marie Antoinette, discover how fashion became a language of power, artistry, and rebellion. Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets can be booked in person in our Bookshop, or by calling us on . Tickets are also available to buy online via our Eventbrite page. Tickets are non-refundable. Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, a complimentary drink is served on arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm. As we’re a small team, latecomers may not be admitted. Tickets are non-refundable. Please note – this event is not suitable for children under the age of 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The event will be held across the five floors of the museum, accessible only by stairs. Due to the building’s Grade I listed status, we are unable to install a lift or ramp, widen doorways, or modify the handrails. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Wed 24 Jun20:00The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
via The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Literature and Writers' Tour
History & Heritage
Around £6

Literature and Writers' Tour

Join us on a guided tour around Lichfield to discover the city’s literary connections. Visiting a number of locations, the tour will explore the work of writers who are associated with each place, including Samuel Johnson, James Boswell, George Farquhar, Erasmus Darwin, Anna Seward, George Eliot and Philip Larkin. Meet outside the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum at 2pm. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets cost £6 per person. Pre-booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling . Tickets can also be purchased online via our Eventbrite page. Please be advised that there will not be any places to sit during the walk. There may be uneven surfaces along the route, so please wear sensible footwear. It is also advisable to dress appropriately for the weather. Please note – we recommend that this walk is not suitable for children under 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sat 27 Jun15:00The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
via The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Murder Most Foul: Poisoners, Body Snatchers and Killer Servants
Community
Around £12

Murder Most Foul: Poisoners, Body Snatchers and Killer Servants

Georgian Britain was an age of elegance and refinement, but beneath the powdered wigs lay a world of crime and consequence. In this captivating instalment of her Murder Most Foul series, Sheelagh James uncovers the dark deeds of poisoners, body snatchers and killer servants, revealing the grim ends that awaited those who strayed beyond the law. Expect intrigue, gasp-worthy revelations and tales not for the faint-hearted in an evening of history at its most chilling. Each talk stands alone, so newcomers are warmly welcome. Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets can be booked in person in our Bookshop, or by calling us on . Tickets are also available to buy online via our Eventbrite page. Tickets are non-refundable. Doors open from 6:30pm-7:00pm, a complimentary drink is served on arrival. Doors close at 7:00pm. As we’re a small team, latecomers may not be admitted. Tickets are non-refundable. Please note – this event is not suitable for children under the age of 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The event will be held across the five floors of the museum, accessible only by stairs. Due to the building’s Grade I listed status, we are unable to install a lift or ramp, widen doorways, or modify the handrails. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Wed 1 Jul20:00The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
via The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
Samuel Johnson's Lichfield - A Walking Tour
Community
Around £6

Samuel Johnson's Lichfield - A Walking Tour

Discover Samuel Johnson’s Lichfield with a guided walking tour around the city. Starting at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, learn more about the locations that shaped Johnson and those closest to him. Meet outside the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum at 2pm. The tour will last approximately 2 hours. Tickets cost £6 per person. Pre-booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our Bookshop, or by calling . Tickets can also be purchased online via our Eventbrite page. Please be advised that there will not be any places to sit during the walk. There may be uneven surfaces along the route, so please wear sensible footwear. It is also advisable to dress appropriately for the weather. Please note – we recommend that this walk is not suitable for children under 14. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sat 4 Jul15:00The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum
via The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.