Matthew
Boulton and the
Lunar Society
(KS
1 and 2)
Birmingham-born
Matthew Boulton was one
of the most important
figures of the
Industrial Revolution.
From making buttons
and buckles to
becoming the world’s
first mass-producer
of coins, Boulton’s
influence was farreaching,
both
geographically and
historically.
In
this hands-on and cross-curricular
session,
pupils will visit Boulton’s
eighteenth-century
house and see real objects
made at his
Soho Manufactory including
clocks, furniture
and money. Pupils will also
be given an
opportunity to wear period
costumes and to
design their own coins.
Matthew Boulton was a leading
member
of one of the eighteenth-century’s
most
influential groups, the Lunar
Society, which
regularly met at Soho House.
Many of their
scientific discoveries and
inventions can be
seen at this local historic
attraction; pupils will
see Joseph Priestley’s ‘electrical
machine’
and the first-ever photocopier
made by James
Watt.
Lunar Society meetings
took place every
month when there was a full
moon. Pupils will
find out why they did this – and
as the Lunar
Society still exists, will
be asked to calculate the
dates of forthcoming meetings
in 2011!
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