What was education like in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Who was Charlotte Mason? Why was she so influential, and what relevance does she still have for us today? Find out through this exhibition that celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the life and legacy of this pioneer in home education and learning through the natural world.

THE SEED IS SOWN

Charlotte Mason was born into the Victorian era (1837-1901), a time of great social and political change, as well as expansion of the British Empire. Some would say it was a golden period of development and breakthroughs, but for others, there was still transformation required, such as in education. The three individuals below highlight some of those advocating and actioning change in education around Ambleside and the Lake District in Charlotte Mason’s early years.

ANNE J CLOUGH

Anne Clough dedicated her life to education. She is perhaps most known for being the first principal of Newnham College, Cambridge. In 1852, Anne Clough came to Ambleside and established a school at Eller How, teaching

JOHN RUSKIN

Ruskin had strong beliefs in active learning, meaning he encouraged people to learn through doing and seeing. He wrote a number of books that shared his ideas and principles, many of which have continued to be assessed against current times.

HARRIET MARTINEAU

In 1848, Harriet wrote this book, Household Education which spoke on the state of education for women specifically. She believed in freedom and rationality, which we could link to Charlotte’s approach to a liberal education for all.

WATERING AND FEEDING

In 1887 in Bradford, Yorkshire, Charlotte Mason formed the PEU, later to be the PNEU – the Parents’ National Education Union. It was a method for home education – a training plan for teachers and parents. Its growth went on to inspire Charlotte Mason into setting up her House of Education in Ambleside.

MRS STEINTHAL

Emeline Steinthal was an artist, sculptor, philanthropist, suffragist, and active pioneer in the movement of liberal education for all. Along with Charlotte Mason, Emeline founded the PEU in 1887. They remained lifelong friends referring to each other as ‘Aunt Mai’ and ‘Lienie’.

PNEU Exam Paper

Over the years, small classes started to develop as a result of the PNEU forming. These gradually turned into schools. Some people still remember going to a PNEU school today. This is an example of an exam paper that students would have sat. They are a bit different to the tests children go through today.

PARENTS REVEIW

Parents’ Review - In 1890, the Parents’ Review was launched. It was a magazine (periodical), that aimed to inform parents and teachers about the latest news and hot topics in education. The Parents’ Review was extremely popular and carried on producing issues until 1966.

THE BLOOM

Charlotte Mason’s House of Education opened in Ambleside in 1892. A core part of the teaching was to instil the importance of the outdoors in learning and how much this benefits children, not just in art and geography, but science, literature, history, and many other subjects.

CMC LOGO

“For the children’s sake” was one of Charlotte Mason’s mottos.

NATURE NOTEBOOK

It was an important part to the teacher training at the House of Education that students kept a nature journal. This helped to nurture skills in brush drawing, observation, writing, plant and animal life, and more. Students would then practice these with the children they went on to teach around the world.

CHARLOTTE MASON STUDENTS

Painting Class – This photograph by Herbert Bell, a local photographer and Trustee of The Armitt, shows House of Education students undertaking a painting class within the grounds of the House of Education. Other classes included basket weaving, book binding, crafts, and general exercise.