How a visit to Killhope can inspire

UNIT 12: HOW DID LIFE CHANGE IN OUR LOCALITY IN VICTORIAN TIMES
Using Killhope: Killhope is set in its landscape, and all around it is evidence of Victorian habitation.
Children can explore the history of Killhope, and the area, seeing where people used to live, how
lead was initially mined at the reconstructed workings in Killhope’s woodland, and how this changed
when Park Level Mine was constructed in 1853. Killhope also shows how technology changed over
the next 50 years, with the introduction of different types of mining equipment. It also gives children
the opportunity to see how the living conditions, and the landscape changed, as different
regulations were introduced. For example, 3 different types of powder stores can be seen at
Killhope, as the regulations regarding the storage of gunpowder changed. Killhope also offers
children the opportunity to experience the conditions the miners would have worked and lived in,
and to carry out some of the tasks for themselves, making it a memorable experience. Killhope’s
main strength for this unit is that it provides a real-life context for what the children will learn about.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES LEARNING OUTCOMES
• To find out about the
past
• To select and record
information relevant to a
chosen topic.
Who lived here in 1841?
• Ask the children to find 1841on the
timeline. Ask they who they think
might have lived in the local area in
1841, and how they might find out.
• Look around the site and discover
who lived here in 1841.
Who lived and worked here in 1891? What has changed since 1841 and why?
• To make comparisons
that illustrate changes
within the Victorian
period.
• To give reasons for
these changes.
• To identify characteristic
features of Victorian
transport and industry.
• Look around the site to discover
what changed since 1891. Use the
Graham letters to learn about a
family who emigrated. On the
Washing Floor technology
changed, and so did employment
levels at the site. Discover why!
• Discuss what has changed since
1841? Are people still living in the
same houses? Discuss why
changes may have taken place.
• Show the children changes in
transport and industry, Killhope
contains repaired mining
technology from different stages in
the mine’s history, and the old
wagon tracks that led to smelting
mills before the roads were
constructed are still visible from the
site.
• Discuss whether changes in
transport or industry were the most
important.
• Identify changes between
1841 and 1891.
• Speculate about possible
reasons for change.
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