Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum & Bookshop

11/09/2026

Join us on Saturday 19 September to celebrate Samuel Johnson’s 317th birthday and the 125th anniversary of the Birthplace Museum. Mark the occasion with a slice of cake and enjoy a day filled with free activities for all ages.
Step back in time with engaging living-history demonstrations, where you can meet costumed characters from the past, including a Georgian cook showcasing what people ate in the 1700s. Watch a skilled calligrapher at work, then try your own hand with quill and ink in our Workroom, or explore the museum with our fun family trail.
The Museum and Bookshop are open daily, 10:30am - 4:30pm. The Museum is free to visit, donations are welcome.

09/09/2026

Best known as the author of A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was also a playwright, poet, journalist, editor, critic, and biographer. He is one of the most quoted people in the history of the English language and remains one of the greatest literary figures of all time.
The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum is situated in the beautiful city of Lichfield. It has been a Museum to the writer and his times since 1901. The house was built for Johnson’s parents, Sarah and Michael, in 1708, and the family ran their bookshop business on the ground floor. Now a Grade I listed building, the Birthplace is a vibrant accredited museum with events and activities throughout the year.
The Museum & Bookshop are open daily 10:30 am - 4:30 pm, we are free to visit - donations are gratefully received.

08/09/2026

Today is International Literacy Day! It is an annual event that celebrates literacy and the importance of reading and writing. 📖
Why not visit the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum to celebrate! Sam is best known as the author of A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), he was also a playwright, poet, journalist, editor, critic, and biographer. Johnson is one of the most quoted people in the history of the English language and remains one of the greatest literary figures of all time.
Our Bookshop is located in the same room where Samuel Johnson’s parents ran their bookselling business from 1709. We stock new, second-hand, and antiquarian books, as well as Birthplace keepsakes, Lichfield souvenirs, stationery and unique gifts for book lovers!
The Museum and Bookshop are open daily 10:30am-4:30pm. The Museum is free to visit—donations are welcome!

07/09/2026

Monday musings with Dr Johnson!

04/09/2026

Do you have a fopdoodle in your life?!

28/08/2026

23/08/2026

21/08/2026

Send this to the Wantwit in your life! 😏

19/08/2026

Join us tomorrow, between 11 am and 1 pm for a hands-on family craft activity.
Each week we’ll have a new craft activity to have a go at, this week is: Dr Johnson and his teapot: Make a decorated teapot just like Samuel Johnson’s.
£2 per child for the craft activity, accompanying adults free.
No need to book, just pop in!
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Entrance to the Museum is free and we have lots of fun free activities including quill pen writing, colouring-in, and costumes to try on.