Summer in the City (1850s-1960s)
We’ll also learn about the role of the Thames in keeping Londoners cool during warm weather as we ‘visit’ the best towpath pubs and the city beach by Tower Bridge, before finding out how to hire a pleasure steamer to cruise along the river in style.
Who is this course for?
- Informal learners seeking a lively introduction to the social history of London in summer from the 1850s to the 1960s
- Creatives, historians, and writers looking for fresh ideas and inspiration for their work
- People new to London and wishing to discover the social history of the city
- History lovers keen to enjoy the opportunity to read and handle original nineteenth and twentieth-century photographs, pamphlets, guidebooks, and more
What can I expect?
- The subject is examined through 100+ original items from Bishopsgate Institute’s special collections, many of them rare and some unique
- The tutor provides an overview of the items
- A set of questions is shared to focus and support the research process
- Students handle and view the items, which have been arranged in curated sets representing different themes relating to the history of London in summer
- Students spend time with each set of items, with the tutor on hand to give guidance and answer questions
- A timeline handout provides historical background and context
- An informal discussion offers a chance to share findings and reflect on the research process
Will I need any equipment or materials?
We will be looking at written texts during the session. Make sure you bring reading glasses if worn.
I have attended a lot of Michelle's courses and never come away disappointed. Her passion for the things she teaches, her commitment and her approachability mean that you end up finding out much more than anticipated.
Image: London Collections Manuscripts
Need to Know
You will learn
- Richly-detailed information about how people of all classes passed the time in London in summer (1850s-1960s)
- More about the spaces and locations in the city where locals and visitors gathered for leisure and fun during warmer weather
- The joys and challenges of reconstructing the past using original historical materials
Meet the Tutor
Dr Michelle Johansen
Dr Michelle Johansen is a social historian specialising in the history of modern London, with a particular emphasis on social class and mobility, gender, professional lives, and regional identities. Her publications include articles in Teaching History, the London Journal, and Cultural and Social History. Michelle has more than ten years' experience of delivering learning sessions at Bishopsgate Institute for all types of learners, from primary school pupils to undergraduates to informal adult learners. Her teaching approach places the emphasis on access to original historical documents, which provides a uniquely dynamic and immersive classroom experience.
Dates and Times
Summer in the City (1850s-1960s)
, 6:04
