You are invited to Samuel Johnson's 302nd Birthday party!

Published: 01 September 2011

The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is celebrating the birthday of Lichfield's most famous son with a free slice of cake for all visitors and activities throughout the day on Saturday 17th September.

As part of Lichfield Heritage Weekend's 'Ye Olde Games' theme, young visitors to the Museum can discover sports and hobbies from Johnson's time in a trail around the house and 'Brilliant Balloons' activity. Air ballooning began in Johnson's time and fascinated his friends in the 18th century. Find out more and make a model air-balloon fit for a party all throughout the day.

The Museum on Breadmarket Street will be open from 10.30am until 4.30pm and admission, as always, is free of charge. A slice of Birthday cake supplied by local bakery Hindleys will be available for all visitors, while stocks last! In addition all are invited to ensemble on the Market Square for 12 noon when the civic party and Johnson Society members will gather to watch to Mayor lay a wreath on the statue of Johnson, while King Edward's Brass Band and the Cathedral Girl's school choir perform. The ceremony will be followed by a performance by the popular 'Intimate Theatre', providing Johnsonian entertainment with a sporting theme!

The Johnson Society will also be marking Johnson's Birthday with the traditional supper at Lichfield Guildhall in the evening, where current President Frank Skinner will hand over his badge to President elect Susie Dent, known for her work on the Oxford English Dictionary and appearances on Countdown's 'Dictionary Corner'.

For more information on activities at the Museum call 01543 264 972, email sjmuseum@lichfield.gov.uk or click www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk