DIY Exhibition: A World of Good

Paper sculptures recreating Charles Waterton's Victorian wildlife reserve at his home Walton Hall

DIY Exhibition: A World of Good

Charles Waterton was a historical figure from Wakefield. He is known for his love of nature. He created the world’s first nature reserve at his home, Walton Hall, in 1821.

This booklet encourages you to create a DIY exhibition about the environment with your learners. It is inspired by Waterton's life and work, as well as real museum objects.

Each section includes some suggested activities that support the National Curriculum. These will produce physical outputs suitable for exhibition.

Download our full resource packs:

These resources are for KS2 and KS3.

Here are some more museum objects for further inspiration:

A wooden cabinet with six drawers, the bottom one partially open to reveal preserved birds' eggs inside

Cabinet of eggs preserved by Charles Waterton, 1850s

What is it? A wooden cabinet containing a range of birds’ eggs collected by Charles Waterton. He collected them when he was ‘let down by a rope from the Bridlington cliffs’ in 1834. He has blown and preserved them. They include guillemot eggs that he autographed.

How old is it? The cabinet dates to the mid 1800s.

What is it made of? Wood - oak. The exterior surfaces are stained mahogany.

A silver commemorative coin with 'Waterton-Glacier International Park, 50th year' and image of a bird, leaf and rotary wheel embossed on it

Commemorative coin, 1982

What is it? A commemorative coin

How old is it? It was minted in 1982

Why is this source important? In 1895 Charles Waterton had a national park named after him. In 1932 the Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada joined with the Glacier National Park over the border in the United States. The coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Waterton-Glacier International Park.

Where was it found? Produced by Rotary International

What is it made of? Metal

A highly decorative porcelain plate with a floral design in the centre, gilded rim and the Waterton family crest on one side

Waterton family porcelain, mid 1800s

What is it? One of five plates from a collection of the Waterton family's porcelain

How old is it? Made before 1820. Can estimate the date due to the printed mark on the base of the plate (by Davenport Porcelains)

Why is this source important? The plate is an example of household items from Walton Hall. The plate is marked with the Waterton crest. This features an otter with a pike (fish) in its mouth and the motto ‘Better kinde friend than friend kinde’.

Where was it discovered? The plate was made in Longport, Staffordshire, England by Davenport Porcelains.

What is it made of? Porcelain

A thin well-worn leather-bound notebook with a metal clasp

Charles Waterton's notebook, 1826 - 1865

What is it? A personal notebook owned by and written in by Charles Waterton. Charles Waterton recorded nearly 40 years of wildlife observations in this notebook.

How old is it? The first dated entries are in 1826. This is when Waterton completed his park wall. He continued to record his bird sightings until his death on 27 May 1865.

Why is this object important? This notebook contains Waterton’s last entry, written three weeks before his death:

‘Nightingales: May 2 1865. On this night at 11 o’clock two nightingales were singing melodiously in the Park at Walton Hall.’

There are no longer any nightingales in Walton and very few in Yorkshire, because of a loss of habitats and climate change.

The book is a unique insight into the bird populations in Walton 150 years ago. It is used by today’s park rangers to compare and contrast.

Where was it found? The notebook was donated to the museum in 1969.

What is it made of? Leather-bound, metal clasp, with paper inside.

A yellowed poster with a long printed message from Charles Waterton protesting the enclosure of Heath Common

Heath Common poster, 1844

What is it? A poster written by Charles Waterton. He is protesting about the enclosure of Heath Common in 1844.

How old is it? The poster was printed in 1844.

Why is this object important? Charles Waterton campaigned to protect Heath Common. It was the last area of open land in the Wakefield district. Waterton believed that the residents of Wakefield needed this green land for their mental and physical health. It was also a haven for birds rarely seen elsewhere.

He printed this poster and distributed it for free. It was a core part of his campaign to keep Heath Common open to everyone.

Heath Common remains as common land today.

What is it made of? Paper.

Transcription of text available in the DIY Exhibition resouce pack.