Roald Dahl (1916-1990) is the author of some of children's favorite stories. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the BFG, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach, to name just a few. In order to research for one of my papers (and because I enjoy his writing) I visited the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire on Saturday, July 21. The journey to the museum was a bit of an adventure, as a landslide had closed the part of the train tracks to Great Missenden! So after a train ride and a bus ride, Cortni and I arrived to enjoy the museum and story centre there.
The Museum is located in Great Missenden because Roald Dahl lived in the village for 36 years in a home called Gipsy House. Most of his writing was done at Gipsy House in his writing hut. The centre is geared toward children between the ages of 6 and 12, but as an adult, I found it to be full of interesting information. There are two galleries and a story centre that tell visitors about the author's life and his writing process. Each gallery has photos, letters, and other materials on display that represent events and experiences from Dahl's life.
The first gallery, called Boy, focuses on Roald Dahl's childhood. A variety of Roald's letters to his mother are on display in this gallery. When Roald began boarding school at St. Peter's at the age of 9, he began writing to his mother once a week. This tradition went on for 20 years, with his mother saving each letter. At the time of her death, Roald recieved a packet of over 600 letters dating from 1925 to 1945. The source of inspiration for the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory stemmed from Dahl's experience attending Repton during his teen years. The Cadbury factory would send the boys in his hall an assortment of new chocolate bar inventions. Each boy would test out the new candy and write a review in exchange for the chocolate! The oversized Wonka chocolate bar pictured to the right was part of the display and also smells delicious. Many of the stories told in the gallery can also be read in Dahl's memoir Boy: Tales of Childhood.
The Museum is located in Great Missenden because Roald Dahl lived in the village for 36 years in a home called Gipsy House. Most of his writing was done at Gipsy House in his writing hut. The centre is geared toward children between the ages of 6 and 12, but as an adult, I found it to be full of interesting information. There are two galleries and a story centre that tell visitors about the author's life and his writing process. Each gallery has photos, letters, and other materials on display that represent events and experiences from Dahl's life.
The first gallery, called Boy, focuses on Roald Dahl's childhood. A variety of Roald's letters to his mother are on display in this gallery. When Roald began boarding school at St. Peter's at the age of 9, he began writing to his mother once a week. This tradition went on for 20 years, with his mother saving each letter. At the time of her death, Roald recieved a packet of over 600 letters dating from 1925 to 1945. The source of inspiration for the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory stemmed from Dahl's experience attending Repton during his teen years. The Cadbury factory would send the boys in his hall an assortment of new chocolate bar inventions. Each boy would test out the new candy and write a review in exchange for the chocolate! The oversized Wonka chocolate bar pictured to the right was part of the display and also smells delicious. Many of the stories told in the gallery can also be read in Dahl's memoir Boy: Tales of Childhood. The second gallery, Solo, focuses on Roald Dahl's adventures while working for Shell Oil in Africa, as well as his wartime adventures while flying for the Royal Air Force during World War II. He even survived a plane crash in the Libyan desert. This gallery also features letters and photos. It also contains other objects that were used to inspire his writing. The sandal that was the inspiration for the BFG's footwear was on display. Roald Dahl sent the sandal to his illustrator, Quentin Blake, for his use in the drawings in the book.
The Story Centre featured activities for children with a focus on writing. One of the neatest things in the Centre was a replica of Roald Dahl's writing hut. Here you can see how particular the author was when it came to writing. He wrote during the same time frames each day and had specific pencils he used when writing. Another neat aspect of the Story Centre was the display of letters Roald Dahl had written to school children around the world. Most letters were in response to something the children had sent him, and included words of thanks and also encouragement to the children to be creative in writing and art. I was very impressed with the museum overall. It was very family friendly, and offers activities such as chocolate decorating and storytelling throughout the year. A great day out!
Roald Dahl Museum: http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/
BFG & Sophie drawing by Quentin Blake from: http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/whatson/weekendandholidayactivities.aspx
The Story Centre featured activities for children with a focus on writing. One of the neatest things in the Centre was a replica of Roald Dahl's writing hut. Here you can see how particular the author was when it came to writing. He wrote during the same time frames each day and had specific pencils he used when writing. Another neat aspect of the Story Centre was the display of letters Roald Dahl had written to school children around the world. Most letters were in response to something the children had sent him, and included words of thanks and also encouragement to the children to be creative in writing and art. I was very impressed with the museum overall. It was very family friendly, and offers activities such as chocolate decorating and storytelling throughout the year. A great day out!
Roald Dahl Museum: http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/
BFG & Sophie drawing by Quentin Blake from: http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/whatson/weekendandholidayactivities.aspx
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