At the start of September each year, the historic city of Lincoln becomes home to over a thousand Steampunk enthusiasts who gather at ‘The Lawn’, a complex which is now a hotel and function rooms, but was formerly a Victorian lunatic asylum.
Steampunk – The Basics
The Steampunk movement fuses Victoriana with Sci-Fi, conjuring up images of Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine and more recently, the film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The Steampunk movement mixes a modern perspective and Sci-Fi elements with the traditional values, good manners and proper etiquet of Victorian society.
The Asylum
The complex now known as ‘The Lawn’ was once a Victorian lunatic asylum and is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of former inmates. The Lawn complex is situated on Union Road (formerly known as Asylum Street) in the heart of historic Lincoln, within the shadow of the walls of Lincoln Castle, which also houses a Victorian prison. The Lawn complex is currently owned by Lincolnshire County Council, and includes the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory, and the privately owned Charlotte House Hotel.
The Saturday evening Empire Ball, which sees the Steampunk faithful donning their most glamorous, flamboyant, inventive and sartorially elegant outfits, is held in the main hall of the Lawn complex, which was once the open air exercise cloisters for the inmates of the asylum.
Steampunk Convivial – Truly Inclusive!
Weekend at the Asylum has grown year on year and now attracts over 1000 visitors annually, making it the largest Steampunk Convivial in Europe.
The 2011 event, once again, enables Steampunk enthusiasts, and curious locals alike, to enter the grounds of Lincoln Castle for free, and will feature a range of stalls selling all manner of Victoriana and Steampunk clothing and accessories throughout the weekend.
The day time stalls and events are open to all, whether you are a seasoned Steampunk regular, a local, or a visitor to the city who happens to coincide with this entertaining weekend. Children are also welcomed and by all accounts entertained, but under 16s are not allowed to attend the evening events unless by prior arrangement.
The general message from the organisers of the event is that Steampunk is a friendly and sociable community. You don’t have to dress up to attend, particularly for the day time events. There is however, some advice given to those of us who do not want to dress up (or “normals”, as the Steampunkers refer to us) should we wish to attend the Empire Ball: “think of it as if you were invited to your eccentric cousin's wedding”.
Sources:
Weekend at the Asylum: http://steampunk.synthasite.com/ Accessed Sept 2011
The Victorian Steampunk Society: http://thevss.yolasite.com/ Accessed Sept 2011
Lincolnshire County Council: http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/births-marriages-deaths-and-civil-partnerships/getting-married-/-forming-a-civil-partnership/approved-venues-and-venue-licensing/licensed-venues-in-lincolnshire/lincoln/the-lawn/28897.article Accessed Sept 2011
Vicki Dennison - Vicki has a Ph.D, is a qualified Science teacher, and has a passion for inspiring young people.
