Hitchin holds a unique place in the history of education as it boasts the world’s last remaining purpose-built Monitorial schoolroom. The grade II* listed building opened in 1837, but the school was founded in 1810, a full 80 years before the government finally provided free elementary education for all.

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Find out more about the museum and our history
Past and present exhibitions View All
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It's all in the sound: the radical experiments
The radical 1960s experiments to make learning to read easier It's all in the sound: the radical experiments
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Dreamers, Radicals & Satirists
Explore the secret lives of Hertfordshire writers More info...
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Pop-up exhibition - At Your Service
The depctions of trademen from late Victorian and Edwardian times... More info...