High Street Histories Celebration

This day celebrates our historic High Street with walks, talks and workshops with lots of free children's activities.  Our town centre and its historic character, independent shops and quaint closes is a special place, the heart of our community. It has a long history stretching back many centuries, come and learn a little of what makes the High Street and its buildings so unique.

DROP INS:

VISIT DUNBAR TOWN HOUSE MUSEUM, HIGH STREET (FREE ENTRY, OPEN 11AM - 5PM) /

GUIDED TOURS (FREE 2 - 4PM)

Visit the museum all day or in the afternoon take a guided tour of this fascinating building which has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.

MEET MARTHA ELLIS/THE ARTIST, Town House (Free 1-4pm)

Chat to the sculpture who is exhibiting at Dunbar Town House

VISIT JOHN MUIR’S BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM, 126 HIGH STREET (FREE ENTRY, OPEN 10AM - 5PM)

Find out about John Muir's life as a pioneering conservationist, explorer, writer, geologist and inventor.

SPOKEN WORD, John Muir's Birthplace (FREE 2.30 - 4.30PM)

East Lothian Vision 2040 Climate Creativity. Hear student voices on climate and nature: live readings of their stories and poetry.

OPEN DAY AT THE RIDGE’S NEW SUPPORT FACILITY (FREE ENTRY, OPEN 11AM - 4PM)

The Support Centre is accessible via Garden Lane which is situated between Flux and The Found Gallery

DEMONSTRATIONS :

Come and learn how traditional buildings and features are restored and maintained:

FORGE AND EQUIP GATE REPAIR DEMONSTRATION 11AM - 4PM (FREE)

At various locations on the High Street, see how metalwork is restored and refurbished.

LIME POINTING. 10am - 12pm or 2pm – 4pm (FREE) Black Bull Close, Dunbar High Street

Learn how to point a wall using hot lime with Jamie Goodwin (the Ridge)

TALKS, at Dunbar Town House:

11am Pauline Smeed - Dunbar Town House History (FREE 1 hour)

For around 500 years Dunbar Town House was the centre of our burgh’s administration. This talk delves into the fascinating story from the origins of the building, the people who served here, and the changes over the centuries up to the present day.

2 – 4pm Dunbar High Street Historic Photo Flashmob (FREE)

Ask the expert with a Dunbar High Street theme! Bring in your old photos of your historic building, Close or whatever question you would like and ask David, our local expert on all things to do with your buildings history. Sign up to join in with our High Street Histories and Closes project.

TOURS, from Dunbar Town House

12.15pm DUNBAR’S HIGH STREET (FREE, 1 hour)

A Walk and talk about the High Street, its buildings and Closes with David Anderson. Limited to 12 places, book here

2pm JOHN MUIR’S DUNBAR (FREE, 1 hour)

With Jo Moulin, East Lothian Council. A light hearted look at the places John Muir knew as a boy. Limited to 12 places, book here

3.00pm HISTORIC DUNBAR (DONATION, 1 hour)

With Stuart Thompson tour guide, www.exploring-the-past.com  Book here

SELF GUIDED TOURS

Publications available from the museums; Historic Dunbar (£3.50), John Muir’s Dunbar (£3.50)

FREE walking tour: https://tour.ourdunbar.com

WORKSHOPS, see individual venues:

PRINTING WORKSHOPS AT LYNXHEAD ART SHOP, 33 HIGH STREET

10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm (£20, book in the shop or online, www.lynxhead.co.uk)

Collographs of Dunbar’s High Street: Suitable for complete beginners, creatives and printmakers looking for a fun creative experience. Age 16+ or children between the age of 8-15 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

11pm - 12.30pm CLAY WORKSHOP, make historic buildings with clay (FREE)

Duke's of West Barns owner Robyn Wade brings this event to the Ridge Open DayAges 9 - 14, please prebook  (only 10 spaces) Book here.

2.30 - 4pm COLLAGE WORKSHOP, be creative with images of historic High Street Buildings (FREE)

Drop in, all ages, with local artist, Anna Davis at the Ridge (FREE). Make up collages using images of the High Street Buildings and bring dinosaurs and unicorns to the town centre. Prize for the best image!

11am - 2.30pm CRAFTING AND COLOURING AT THE RIDGE

At The Ridge with Nurture Baby and Me CIC and Families Together (FREE)

CRAFTING AND COLOURING AT THE MUSEUMS

At the Town House Museum and John Muir’s Birthplace Museum (FREE during opening hours)

SHOP FRONT QUIZ (FREE 10 - 4pm)

Pick up copies of the quiz from the Town House and look for clues in the High Street windows. Prizes for successfully completed forms.