Guernsey Museum unveils History Fest programme as hospice exhibition enters final week
- History Fest 2026 takes place at Guernsey Museum on 26th and 27th September with the theme "Back in My Day"
- The festival partners with Visit Guernsey's 'The Big Eat' Food Festival and includes guided tours, craft demonstrations and a farmer's market
- Activities include a lecture on Guernsey fishing heritage, woollen crafts, and a historical tour about workers at Keiller's Marmalade factory
- 'Here for Life: 35 Years of Les Bourgs Hospice' exhibition closes on 27th September after attracting thousands of visitors since July
- The hospice exhibition features more than 100 portraits by Aaron Yeandle with personal testimonies, film and soundscape
Guernsey Museum at Candie is preparing for a weekend celebrating the island's history, coinciding with the final chance to view a major exhibition about Les Bourgs Hospice.
History Fest 2026, themed "Back in My Day", takes place on 26th and 27th September. The weekend also marks the closing of 'Here for Life: 35 Years of Les Bourgs Hospice', an exhibition featuring more than 100 portraits and personal testimonies.
This year's History Fest coincides with the traditional Harvest Festival season. The museum has partnered with Visit Guernsey's 'The Big Eat' Food Festival to mark the turning of the seasons.
The Harvest Festival is a celebration that in Britain can be traced back as far as the Bronze Age. In the 21st century, autumn — or in Guernésiais, Ertchéyaent — still presents the perfect time for enjoying local produce.
Visitors can connect with Guernsey's roots as a fishing community, beginning with a lecture from 'A History of The Guernsey', hosted by La Société Guernésiaise. Guests can see a hand-knitted Guernsey in progress and join in with woollen and woven crafts throughout the event. Knitted Guernseys from local company Guernsey Guernseys will be on sale.
Jayne Cataroche will be leading a guided history tour called "Candie to Sugar", exploring life in the 1800s working at Keiller's Marmalade factory, otherwise known as Guernsey's 'Sugar Girls'.
A new display in the museum foyer entitled "What's for Dinner?" features food related objects from the museum collection. Visitors can browse a corner shop display and chat with local social history collector Peter Brehaut. The Clean Earth Trust will be providing 'shopping bags for life' as a sustainable way to carry purchases.
Outside, the museum presents a farmer's market with a twist. Alongside local produce, seasonal products and hedge-veg style stalls, partners Grow, Heritage Farm and Bailiwick Blue will be providing hands-on activities.
Visitors can also enjoy the Priaulx Library's outdoor photographic exhibition, 'How Guernsey Used To Shop', before stepping inside one of the world's oldest greenhouses in Candie's Lower Gardens or following the garden trail.
The hospice exhibition features portraits by award-winning photographer Aaron Yeandle, alongside personal testimonies, a specially commissioned film and an immersive soundscape. The exhibition offers insight into the hospice through the faces and voices of those who have lived, worked, volunteered, fundraised and experienced its care.
Since opening in July, the exhibition has attracted thousands of visitors, offering a chance to learn more about the vital role Les Bourgs Hospice plays in island life and to celebrate the many people who have made its work possible.
'Here for Life: 35 Years of Les Bourgs Hospice' is on display at Guernsey Museum at Candie until Sunday 27th September 2026. History Fest takes place on 26th and 27th September. Entry is free for Discovery Pass holders.
Q&A
Q: When does History Fest 2026 take place?
A: History Fest 2026 takes place on 26th and 27th September at Guernsey Museum at Candie.
Q: What is the theme of this year's History Fest?
A: This year's History Fest is themed "Back in My Day" and coincides with the traditional Harvest Festival season.
Q: When does the Les Bourgs Hospice exhibition close?
A: The 'Here for Life: 35 Years of Les Bourgs Hospice' exhibition closes on Sunday 27th September 2026, having opened in July.
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