Revolution house

Unusual markings designed to ‘ward off witches’ discovered at historic Chesterfield landmark

A series of unusual markings on the fireplace at Chesterfield’s Revolution House have been officially confirmed as protection marks designed to ward off witches.

The apotropaic markings (commonly referred to as anti-witch marks) depict a double ‘V’ which is a reference to the Virgin Mary Protector of Life and Family. Markings like this were usually placed near openings or windows with the intention of keeping witches and evil spirits out.

The unusual markings were spotted by one of the museum team who photographed them and sent the images to Professor Ronald Hutton, who kindly identified them.

Professor Ronald Hutton, a professor at the University of Bristol and leading authority on folklore, said: “These are convincing examples of apotropaic markings. The interlocked VVs are absolutely standard. The others are harder to make out but could correspond to more than one other known type of mark in the repertoire.”

Revolution House was originally constructed as a farmhouse in the 16th century and later became an inn during the 17th century – during this period there was a heightened belief in witches and witchcraft.

On Sunday 11 June Revolution House will be hosting a Witchcraft event. Visitors will be able to learn all about the 17th century witch hunts and get hands on to create their own witch pot.

Like apotropaic markings, witch pots were believed to protect your family and house from an attack by a witch’s curse and ensure you came to no harm.

Witch Marks at Revolution House

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We already knew that Revolution House had a rich history but this is an interesting discovery that tells us more about the people who have used the building in the past.

“We’ve been planning the Witchcraft event for a while and this discovery makes it even more relevant – the event is set to be a great day out for everyone and I hope lots of you will come along and make your own witch pot.”

The Witchcraft event is free to attend but donations are welcome and takes place on Sunday 11 June between 11am and 4pm. Creating a witch pot will be a drop-in session and visitors will be treated on a first come first served basis.

Other events are planned at the house each month throughout the summer including the return of legendary Tudor Minstrel Dante Ferrara, a demonstration of the healing properties of herbs and a display showing a selection of the council’s collection of sketches and art by Joseph Syddall.

You can find out more about Revolution House and the events planned by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/explore-chesterfield/revolution-house

Revolution House

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Visitors can get into the festive spirt at Chesterfield’s Revolution House this Christmas

Everyone is invited to step back in time this Christmas and visit Revolution House.

Decorated for a 17th Century Christmas with displays of greenery, a kissing bough, and colourful flower arrangements provided by our volunteers, this really is an attraction not to be missed.

The historic house is open from Thursday 8 December to Saturday 24 December 2022 from 11am to 3pm.

Those interested in history will also be able to visit the video room, and watch a short video on the Revolution of 1688.

Carol concert

A highlight of the Chesterfield Christmas schedule is always the special carol concert held at Revolution House. This will take place on Thursday 8 December at 6.30pm.

There, you can join Holymoorside Brass Band in the garden at Revolution House for traditional, festive carol singing. Song sheets will be given out on the night for everyone in attendance to join in with the carols and get into the festive spirit.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “If you are looking to organise traditional Christmas activities for all the family to enjoy, I’d recommend visiting Revolution House.

“The decorations are always stunning, and the annual carol concert always helps me to get into the festive spirit.”

It is advised that visitors bring a torch with them to the carol service as it will be dark when the performance takes place.

Please note that in the event of bad weather, the event could be cancelled. Entry to the house and garden is free, however donations are welcome to help the attraction in delivering more great events.

To find out more about upcoming events and activities taking place across Chesterfield, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/events/

Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council will soon be launching the Christmas in Chesterfield campaign for 2022, highlighting fun events, fabulous festive food & drink, and a guide to the best gifts available in the area.

 

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Discover more about Chesterfield’s Heritage at upcoming events

Residents and visitors can learn more about local history as Chesterfield Borough Council is set to host two events as part of the national Heritage Open Days.

On Saturday 10 September there is the opportunity to explore the Chesterfield Museum collection, and then the following weekend on Sunday 18 September meet a Sir Joseph Paxton reenactor at Revolution House.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “With the closure of Chesterfield Museum, for the multi-million-pound renovation of Stephenson Memorial Hall, it is important that we offer excellent opportunities for everyone to learn more about our local history. It’s great to be taking part in the national Heritage Open Days and I hope lots of people will take on this unique opportunity to learn more about local history.”

On Saturday 10 September from 11am, people can explore one of Chesterfield Museum’s off-site stores which houses some of the larger items from the Museum’s collection that are not normally on display.

The Museum’s Collections Officer will act as a guide and explain how the museum looks after the items within its care and the challenges involved.

Booking is not required and people can simply arrive at Unit 1 Calow Brook Drive, Off Calow Lane for 11am to take part.

The following weekend on Sunday 18 September between 11am and 4pm, a Sir Joseph Paxton reenactor will be appearing at Revolution House in Old Whittington. Booking for this event is not required.

Visitors will be able to learn more about his life as a gardener, architect and engineer as well as his connection to Chatsworth. There will also be a hands-on activity for children to plant their own seeds.

To find out more about the wide range of events taking place across Chesterfield, go to our events page, or if you want to find something to do this weekend, head over to our ‘Five ideas for the Weekend’ page.

 

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Revolution House reopens for the summer

Revolution House, a public museum with an important role in history, is set to reopen its doors and welcome visitors over the summer.

The Museum opens on Friday 15 April and will then be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays until Sunday 18 September. It is free to visit but donations are welcome.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Revolution House is a fantastic little attraction in our borough, it tells the story of a small piece of our history that not many people are aware of and is a chance to learn more about our heritage whilst Chesterfield Museum is closed. It is well worth a visit and is completely free. We’ll also be hosting some great events there over the summer so keep an eye on our website and social media pages for more details.”

Chesterfield Museum is currently closed as a multimillion-pound refurbishment is set to get underway at Stephenson Memorial Hall where both the Museum and Pomegranate Theatre are based.

The work will create a bespoke visitor attraction in the heart of Chesterfield which will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

Whilst the Museum is closed, the team will be arranging a series of interactive activities around the borough called Museum on the Move and Revolution House will also be open to ensure everyone can learn about the borough’s history.

Revolution House, then the Cock and Pynot Inn, was the meeting place of the 4th Earl of Devonshire, John D’Arcy, and the Earl of Danby as they plotted to overthrow King James II in 1688.

At Revolution House, you can find out more about the Revolution of 1688 and there is also a collection of 17th Century furniture.

On Monday 2 May, professional Tudor minstrel Dante Ferrara will be performing at Revolution House. The instruments he will demonstrate are the lute, cittern, hurdy-gurdy, colascione and English bagpipes.

He will be performing five times throughout the day with the first performance at 11.15am and there will be the opportunity to ask him questions and take photographs with him.

More events will be hosted at Revolution House throughout the summer. Find out more details about upcoming events online at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revolutionhouse

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Revolution House reopens for a traditional Christmas celebration

Chesterfield’s seventeenth century landmark, Revolution House, will reopen for a traditional Christmas celebration.

Revolution House will be decorated for a traditional seventeenth century Christmas with displays of greenery, a kissing bough and colourful flower arrangements which have been created by local volunteers.

It will be open from Thursday 9 December to Friday 24 December between 11am and 3pm.

On Thursday 9 December, Holymoorside Brass Band will be performing for a carol concert in the garden from 6.30pm, where guests are invited to sing-along. The house will not be open during this event and bad weather will lead to its cancellation.

It is advised that visitors bring a torch with them to the carol service as it will be dark when the performance takes place.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Revolution House is a great piece of our town’s history and it’s fantastic that we can reopen this year to allow visitors to experience a traditional Christmas celebration. Thank you to all the volunteers who have made this possible. I hope lots of people will come along to see how we used to celebrate Christmas.”

Revolution House is a seventeenth century cottage that used to be the Cock and Pynot alehouse, here three local noblemen met to begin their planning to overthrow King James II.

It is now a museum featuring seventeenth century furniture and information on the revolution of 1688. It is open seasonally and has traditionally held events over the Christmas period.

Entry to the house and garden is free, however donations are welcome, this is used to fund more events and help maintain the property.

Find out more about the Brass Band event and Revolution House on the Chesterfield Museum website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/explore-chesterfield/revolution-house/whats-on

The Christmas in Chesterfield campaign includes a number of great festive events, activities and local shopping guides for you to get the most out of our town this Christmas. Find out more here. 

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Residents offered the chance to go ‘behind the scenes’ at iconic Chesterfield buildings

Residents and visitors in Chesterfield will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at a some of the town’s iconic buildings this September, as part of the Heritage Open Days event taking place across the country.

Heritage Open Days take place every September and see organisations and volunteers across the country organise events to celebrate the nation’s history and culture.

To celebrate the initiative this year, Chesterfield Borough Council is opening the doors to a number of its venues for people to explore.

Mayor’s parlour and council chamber tours

Residents will have the opportunity to visit the mayor’s parlour and council chamber where the Chesterfield Mayor and Consort – Councillor Glenys Falconer and Councillor Keith Falconer – will be on hand to talk about their roles at the council, including chairing full council meetings and the duties they carry out on a weekly basis.

Two tours will take place at 11am on both Thursday 16 September and Friday 17 September and will take around an hour and a half to complete. People can register to attend one of the tours by contacting Leanne Mowbray, member and civic support officer, on 01246 345239, or by email at: Mayors.Office@chesterfield.gov.uk.  Places are limited, so booking is essential.

Revolution House

Revolution House will also be re-opening its doors and welcoming visitors back for the first time since December 2019 for two Heritage Open Days. Visitors can come along between 11am and 3pm on Sunday 12 and Sunday 19 September to find out more about the history of the House. The House takes its name from the Revolution of 1688 when three local noblemen met to begin planning their part in events which led to the overthrow of King James II in favour of William and Mary of Orange.

Entry to the House is free, but donations are welcome.

Chesterfield Museum stores

There will also be an opportunity to go behind the scenes and explore one of Chesterfield Museum’s offsite stores. On Saturday 11 September visitors will have the chance to discover some of the larger items collected by the museum that would be difficult to display in the museum itself. The tour will also explore how the museum looks after the town’s collection so the objects can be enjoyed by generations to come.

The tour will take place at Unit 1, Calow Brook Drive, Off Calow Lane, Hasland, Chesterfield, S41 0DR. Booking is not required and visitors just need to arrive by 11am to join the tour.

For those unable to attend the behind-the-scenes events, the team at Chesterfield Museum will be posting a video online which explores fascinating parts of history. Working with History’s Maid, the latest video which will be shared is ‘History of Tea’ – from Catherine of Braganaza to the two world wars, tea has been a British necessity. For more information or to view the video visit the Chesterfield Museum Facebook page or www.chesterfield.gov.uk.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Heritage Open Days provide an exciting and interesting way to learn more about key venues, the history and how they operate on a day-to-day basis so we are really pleased to be opening the doors to some of our key venues so people can explore.

“We hope that plenty of residents and visitors will take the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes and find out more about the history of our borough.”

For more information on the Heritage Open Days, visit www.visitchesterfield.info/whats-on

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