About the Crafts House
The Crafts House is a division of the Ventspils Museum, housed in a restored 18th-century building – the oldest schoolhouse in the Duchy of Courland. Today, it is a centre for culture, crafts and tourism, where visitors can learn about both the daily life of the school in historical times and traditional crafts.
One of the rooms in the building has been furnished as a 19th-century classroom. By booking in advance, pupils can take part in a historical lesson, try their hand at calligraphy, read old-style print and practise counting with abacuses.
From 1849 to 1851, Krišjānis Barons, a New Latvian activist and folklorist, studied in this building, which at the time housed the district school. A commemorative plaque dedicated to him, created by the sculptor Gļebs Panteļejevs, can be seen at the Crafts House.
The Crafts House houses weaving and pottery workshops, as well as the ‘VentiņPūrlād’ souvenir shop. Exhibitions dedicated to crafts and art, creative workshops and cultural events are held regularly.
🎓 Educational programmes
The sessions are suitable for pre-school children, school pupils and other interested groups. Several programmes have been approved as part of the ‘Latvian School Bag’ cultural education programme .
Target audience: all age groups
Latvian School Bag: yes
The session takes place in a replica of a 19th-century school classroom. Pupils learn about daily life, discipline and rules in the old school, and take part in a historical learning experience.
During the session, participants try their hand at calligraphy, counting with abacuses and reading old-style print.
Target audience: all age groups
Latvian School Bag: yes
In this interactive lesson, pupils learn about the history of 18th-century Ventspils and the legend of a mysterious golden brooch at the Crafts House.
As they listen to a narrative supplemented with images and tasks, participants seek answers to questions about the brooch’s origins and its possible owner. The session concludes with a team quiz to consolidate the knowledge gained.
Target audience: all age groups
Latvian School Bag: yes
During the session, pupils learn what information could once be gleaned from a person’s folk costume – the wearer’s place of residence, wealth and social status.
Participants learn about the traditions of wearing folk costumes, the differences between ceremonial and work attire, and discover how a Latvian folk costume ‘sounds’.
Target audience: pre-school and primary school
Latvian School Bag: yes
Children explore the Crafts House by completing interlinked tasks in groups. The session helps them discover the museum’s rooms, exhibits and rules of conduct in an engaging way.
At the end of the session, each participant receives a ‘Friend of the Museum’ badge.
Target audience: all age groups
Participants learn about the history of paper – from ancient China and the first sheets of paper to modern paper-making technologies.
In the practical part of the session, pupils take part in a paper-making workshop and, using special screens, learn the paper-making process for themselves.
Target audience: pre-school children
This session gives pre-school children the opportunity to experience school as it was in the 19th century.
The children learn about the rules of the old-fashioned school, compare them with those of a modern school, and try their hand at calligraphy and counting with abacuses. The session helps them prepare for school life whilst experiencing an unusual journey into the past.
Target audience: all age groups
In this creative workshop, participants colour in drawings by the artist Agnese Rudzīte and make personalised badges.
Each badge made becomes a small, unique work of art that the participant can take home.
💶 PRICES
- Museum education programme at the museum: 20 EUR per group + museum admission tickets.
- Outreach programme: 30 EUR per group.
- Forschoolchildren, students and pensioners: 0.50 EUR or 20 venti + 0.30 EUR.
- Adults: 1 EUR or 30 venti + 0.70 EUR.
- Family ticket: 2 EUR or 70 venti + 1.30 EUR.
- Pre-school children: free of charge.
- For groups: free entry for every 16th visitor.
Maximum number of participants: in-person – 25 participants; online session – 30 participants.
📞 Booking
Please contact Marta Tjarvi, the museum educator at the Crafts House, in advance to discuss programme options and available session times.
Telephone: +371 26385346
Email: mailtomarta.tjarve@ventspils.lv
Before completing the official application form, we recommend that you contact the museum educator to confirm the availability of your chosen programme.
Photo from the Ventspils Museum archive.