Crafting the Past – A Summer of Making

Uncover the lost trades of the past this Summer Holiday at the Museum of Cambridge.

What job might you have had in Cambridge 300 years ago?

Throughout the Summer Holidays, the Museum of Cambridge is hosting workshops and craft sessions for families to experience some of the lost craft skills of the past. From natural dyeing to marionette making, there is sure to be something to interest children of all ages (and adults too!).

All Summer long, take part in a trail through the Museum and learn about jobs of the past that are now endangered and see the crafts on display with the Lost Trades Trail.

Every Wednesday, pop in to the Enid Porter Room for the ‘Lost Craft Drop-in.’ Pick from a number of at-risk crafts: skills used in the past but practiced less often nowadays. Have a go and keep what you make! More information on the ‘Lost Craft Drop-in’ can be found here: https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/lost-craft-drop-in/

🧵 Lost Craft Drop-in

📍 Have a go at a wide range of forgotten crafts from the past. Try out fan making in time for the hot summer sun, or learn how straw hats were plaited. Make a marionette puppet, or learn how bobbin lace is made.

⏰ 30^th July, 6^th, 13^th, 20^thand 27^th August, 11:00-15:00

🎟 No Booking required, just pop by!

At ‘Woad-Working Wonder’ and ‘Stinging String Superstar’ take a deep dive on natural crafting methods from history. Book your free place to dye a bracelet using plants or make string from stinging nettles!

🌱 Woad-Working Wonders

📍 Get hands on with a complete guide to natural dyeing. From planting seeds to your very own naturally dyed bracelet, follow the process of a 2000-year-old craft.

⏰ 28^th July, 1^st, 9^th and 16^th August, 12:00-14:00

🎟 Booking required

🧶 Stinging String Superstar

📍 Turn nettles into string, from plant to fibre! Learn an ancient technique used for millennia to process stinging nettles into cordage.

⏰ 18^th, 22^nd, 25^th and 29^th August, 12:00-14:00

🎟 Booking required

All events are FREE! Suitable for children 5+ with adult supervision. Find out more and book your place using the links below:

Woad-Working Wonder: https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/woad-working-wonder/

Stinging String Superstar: https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/stinging-string-superstar/