Captain Vancouver

Did you know that one of Canada’s biggest cities is named after a man from King’s Lynn? Over the course of the Norfolk’s American Connections project, we’ve discovered that Captain Vancouver is one of the most overlooked heroes of our trans-Atlantic legacy! For an introduction to the man, read this article on King’s Lynn Online.

In order to boost the well-deserved notoriety of the Captain, the Lynn Museum of King’s Lynn will host two events: first, an illustrated talk by Brian Howling on 10 October, 2:30 to 3:30 pm, and the Captain Vancouver Family Activity Day on 20 October from 11am to 2pm.

Please call the Lynn Museum on 01553 775001 for more information!

Captain George Vancouver

Norfolk’s American Connections: Thomas Paine

 

As part of the Norfolk’s American Connections project children from Norwich Road School in Thetford and American children from Feltwell Elementary School visited Thetford Library in March to research Thomas Paine. The visits (amongst others from children from the nearby bases) were part of work undertaken by Melissa Hawker from the Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life to create a pop–up exhibition about some of the major historical links between Norfolk & North America. The completed exhibition will tour museums and libraries from 4th July to Thanksgiving. The funding for the project came from a Heritage Lottery Grant.

Further information about the Thomas Paine Project (including some great photographs!) can be found here.