Sessions House, the listed Grade II* building in the heart of Boston, has huge historical significance for the town and now Heritage Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council and owners Paul and Amy Wilkinson are to hold two public open days to discuss potential new uses for the building.  The events are part of wider options appraisal on the future uses for the building funded by national lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The arts and cultural activities have been curated by Transported as part of our remit to engage more people in the arts in Boston and South Holland.

The two open days are taking place on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September and will run from 10am – 4pm.

The public open days will allow members of the community to look inside the historic space whilst enjoying a variety of art/cultural activities and demonstrations.  Visitors will be asked to give their thoughts on how the building might be used to the benefit of the local community and economy. 

There are timed tours every 45 minutes from 10am until 3pm where you will be able to enjoy live performance, drop in workshops and information stands, whilst giving your input into the future of Sessions House.

• Experience the thrills and excitement of Vertical Dance Company performing aerial dance on the front of the building, suspended many metres above the ground! 
• Visit the cells to see the Boston & South Holland Woodcarvers whittling wood and listen to folk songs performed by Danny Pedlar, as prisoners might have done in years gone by. 
• Ascend to the dock before witnessing the dramatic performance by Egg Box Theatre in the courtroom, and tour the other rooms, including the waiting rooms and judge’s chamber. 
• Drop in workshops for Illuminate with artist Kathleen Smith, making pin badges as well as dyeing, printing and sealing aluminium.
• Drop in workshops for Boston Unfurled (a forthcoming project with Boston Hanse Group) with artist Ruth Pigott from Curiosity Creators, working with medieval gold work and flag making.
• Ceramics Group will be creating ceramics inspired by the building.
• New Perspectives will show a video made about life in Boston.

There will be refreshments by Boston More in Common.

Interesting Facts about the Sessions House: 

• Boston Sessions House is a unique Grade II* listed neo-gothic building, close to Boston’s market place and Town Centre Conservation Area and opposite St Botolph’s Church
• Built in 1842, it was designed by Sleaford-based architect Charles Kirk. It is a skilfully composed building with dramatic elevational quality and finely detailed Gothic interiors, displaying a high quality of materials and craftsmanship.
• The building retains the original courtroom and a number of contemporary Victorian fixtures and fittings (including wooden panelling, wrought iron stair railings, tables and chairs). The current layout is a virtually unaltered example of early 19th Century sessions house and reflects the nineteenth century interest in segregation of different categories of court users.
• The Building stopped being used as a court of law in 2005.