Source: City of Portsmouth
Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum is to host a special event on Friday 7 February to honour the renowned author on the 213th anniversary of his birth.
Every year the museum hosts the celebration to commemorate the writer at the place he was born in Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth.
The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth will be in attendance to lay a wreath at the front door of the home at 11am. There will also be members of Dickens Fellowship Portsmouth Branch who will be performing readings from some of his most famous works.
After the ceremony the museum will be open for visitors to view the room in which he was born and discover some of Dickens’ prized possessions.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for Culture, Regeneration and Economic Development, said:
“We encourage residents to join us to mark the anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth and celebrate the life and work of one of the world’s most acclaimed authors – especially as he was born here in Portsmouth.
“Portsmouth is rich in history and the arts and this special house combines the two.”
Charles Dickens was born on 7 February 1812. The eldest son of John and Elizabeth Dickens, he was christened Charles John Huffman Dickens in the nearby St Mary’s Church.
The Dickens family lived in the home from 1809 for three years before moving to 16 Hawks Street, which was destroyed by bombing in 1941.
The museum will be open from 12pm until 3.30pm (last entry 3pm) on 6 February; and 10am until 4.30pm (last entry 4pm) on 7, 8, 9, 18, 20, and 22 February.
Due to the small nature of the birthplace, visits may need to be staggered so it’s possible visitors may need to queue outside for a period of time.
Portsmouth residents can enter the museum for free, for more information visit, charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk