The Museum of Cambridge

Rhythms of the Rainbow: How LGBTQIA+ people have innovated western music
2025-02-27 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Join Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews with a discussion on how LGBTQIA+ people have been the hidden innovators of western music.

This talk will look at how LGBTQIA+ people have been hidden by historians of music despite making significant contributions as innovators, performers and lyricists. Starting in the Middle Ages, it brings us through to recent decades, where musicians are increasingly open about their identities.
About the Speaker
Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews grew up with a love of music and archaeology, and knew as a child that he was not like other boys. As a gay teenager in the 1970s, life was not always easy, but working as a DJ in the early 1980s made coming out a breeze. He began investigating archaeological correlates of sexuality during the 1990s, an interest which has broadened into historical and anthropological research. This talk combines two of his loves.
Keith is the Museum Curator and Heritage Access Officer at the North Hertfordshire Museum. He manages and develops the museum’s collections to accreditation standards, oversees archaeological deposits, delivers outreach programs, manages the Local Studies Centre, and handles object identification enquiries.
To find out more about the North Hertfordshire Museum, please visit https://www.northhertsmuseum.org.
Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £7, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £6 for Adults, £4.50 for Students/Low Income). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book now:

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.
Love events? Love them even more when they’re free? Join the Friends of the Museum of Cambridge today and you’ll get access to free events, discounts in our shop and year-round free entry for you and a guest.

Museum of Cambridge and Cambridge Old Quarter Tour
2025-03-01 10:30 - 12:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Want to hear about the history of Cambridge beyond the history of the University?

Departure Time: Mondays and alternate Saturdays, 10:30am
Duration: 90 minutes
Meeting Point: The courtyard of Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle St, Cambridge CB3 0AQ
Important Information:

Please arrive 5 minutes early
Please dress appropriately for the weather as this tour will be both indoors and outdoors
This is a shared tour conducted in English

The Museum of Cambridge and Cambridge Old Quarter Tour offers visitors the chance to explore and find out more about one of England’s most famous cities. Whilst most of the city’s tourism centres around the world-renowned university, our tour looks more at the history of the city, its people and their lives throughout time. Focused around the Museum itself, the tour will also give you the chance to discover some of the most interesting items in our collection.

The Museum of Cambridge is an independent charity and does not receive funds from the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. All of our tour guides are passionate Cambridgeshire locals who enjoy sharing their passion for local history with you! Our tour guide volunteers lead these tours on a voluntary basis, so the entirety of the ticket price supports the upkeep of the Museum.

Find out more and book today!

Little Feet, Big Impressions
2025-03-05 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Little Feet, Big Impressions returns to the Museum of Cambridge!
Join us for our programme of FREE storytelling and activities every two weeks for families with children aged 1-5.
Be welcomed into the Museum’s purpose-built event space, the Enid Porter Room, with complementary tea and coffee, before entering our 16th-century building to explore the objects on display with some storytelling.
Then return to the Enid Porter Room for a sensory activity related to the story you heard.
Little Feet, Big Impressions is a unique opportunity for you and your little ones to engage with history in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Sessions run every other Wednesday from 10:30 – 12:00 and 14:00 -15:30. Both sessions are identical, so please book for whichever is most convenient. They are free, but places must be booked in advance. Please book here for you and your child (minimum 2 tickets): LFBI2025.eventbrite.co.uk
This is NOT a drop-in session, and will begin at the advertised start time.

Her Cambridge: Reframing Women’s Hidden Histories
2025-03-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Delve into the untold stories of women in Cambridge with Uncomfortable Cambridge, and critically examine how we narrate their history!

Inspired by Uncomfortable Cambridge‘s Hidden Histories tour, this lecture delves into the untold stories of women in Cambridge and critically examines how we narrate their history. Building on the tour’s exploration of women’s urban, academic, and family lives, the construction of gendered identities, and queer experiences, this talk addresses key questions: What gaps exist in the historical record, and how can we amplify silenced voices? Through case studies of pioneering women scholars, everyday lives, and communities, we’ll explore their struggles, achievements, and the ways historical narratives have excluded or misrepresented them.
Join us to discuss strategies for creating a more comprehensive narrative of Cambridge’s past.
About the speaker:
Uncomfortable Cambridge is a community interest company and a social enterprise that runs unique walking tours that highlight histories of race, gender, class, and legacies of empire. Run by university researchers, our tours are dedicated to diversifying the stories told about Cambridge.
Learn more at: https://www.uncomfortablecambridge.com/

Book now:
Her Cambridge: Reframing Women’s Hidden Histories Tickets, Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £7, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £6 for Adults, £4.50 for Students/Jobseekers). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.
NOTE: Eventbrite has changed its set up and now only allows one ‘donate as you feel’ ticket per purchase. Please kindly book tickets separately per email; the same email can be used.
Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.
Love events? Love them even more when they’re free? Join the Friends of the Museum of Cambridge today and you’ll get access to free events, discounts in our shop and year-round free entry for you and a guest.

Make Your Mark - Ink and Quill Making Workshop
2025-03-15 11:00 - 16:00 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
What do Magna Carta, drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and the manuscript of Pride and Prejudice all have in common?
They were all written using iron gall ink!
Come and learn how this ancient recipe of oak galls (made by tiny wasps!) and rusty nails combine to create beautiful black ink used across the world for hundreds of years at this FREE workshop.
See each step of the process and have a go at making your own ink. Then, use a feather quill pen and write like our ancestors!
Each session of this workshop will be identical, so choose one and book your place below. Tickets are free but you must book in advance.
This is NOT a drop-in session, and will start at the advertised time.

Date:
15th March 2025

Times:
11:00 – 13:00
14:00 – 16:00

Tickets:
Please book your place below. Book a ticket for each person attending (adults and children).

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Little Feet, Big Impressions
2025-03-26 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Little Feet, Big Impressions at the Museum of Cambridge!
Join us for our programme of FREE storytelling and activities every two weeks for families with children aged 1-5.
Be welcomed into the Museum’s purpose-built event space, the Enid Porter Room, with complementary tea and coffee, before entering our 16th-century building to explore the objects on display with some storytelling.
Then return to the Enid Porter Room for a sensory activity related to the story you heard.
Little Feet, Big Impressions is a unique opportunity for you and your little ones to engage with history in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Sessions run every other Wednesday from 10:30 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 15:30. Both sessions are identical, so please book for whichever is most convenient.
This is NOT a drop-in session, and will begin at the advertised start time.
Tickets are FREE, but places must be booked in advance. Please book for you and your child (minimum 2 tickets):

Beyond the Ivory Tower: Sharing Cambridge's Diverse Histories
2025-03-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Join Uncomfortable Cambridge to explore the often overlooked stories and individuals of Cambridge, tracing their presence through history.

Cambridge’s traditional histories often conjure images of its prestigious university and iconic architecture, but these narratives have often obscured the contributions of diverse communities that have profoundly shaped the city’s past. Drawing inspiration from the critical history walking tours of Uncomfortable Cambridge, this lecture will delve into overlooked stories and individuals, bringing to light the enduring presence and influences of marginalised ethnic and religious communities and trace their presence throughout the city’s history.
Join us to explore how connecting with these often-overlooked histories can not only enrich our understanding of the city’s past but also inspire the building of stronger, more inclusive communities today.
About the speaker:
Uncomfortable Cambridge is a community interest company and a social enterprise that runs unique walking tours that highlight histories of race, gender, class, and legacies of empire. Run by university researchers, our tours are dedicated to diversifying the stories told about Cambridge.
Learn more at: https://www.uncomfortablecambridge.com/

Book now:
Beyond the Ivory Tower: Sharing Cambridge’s Diverse Histories Tickets, Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £7, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £6 for Adults, £4.50 for Students/Jobseekers). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.
NOTE: Eventbrite has changed its set up and now only allows one ‘donate as you feel’ ticket per purchase. Please kindly book tickets separately per email; the same email can be used.
Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.
Love events? Love them even more when they’re free? Join the Friends of the Museum of Cambridge today and you’ll get access to free events, discounts in our shop and year-round free entry for you and a guest.

Temporary Exhibition: It Takes Time to Grow
2025-04-02 - 2025-05-12 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
“It takes time to grow, and you probably won’t realise it but you are not the same person that walked into this room.” -LGBTQ+ Young Person from The Kite Trust
The Museum is proud to display “It Takes Time to Grow: An LGBTQ+ History of Cambridgeshire” from the Kite Trust. This fantastic touring exhibition has come together from a collection of items from Cambridgeshire’s LGBTQ+ community.
This exhibition tells just a few of the many stories from 50 years of queer history across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. From the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967, through to the expansion of local Pride events across the county in the 202s, join us to explore the growth of the local LGBTQ+ community over the last half century.
See this exhibit on display at the Museum from the 2nd of April to the 12th of May.
Accessibility
You can read about our accessibility information on our website here Accessibility – The Museum of Cambridge. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Visitors with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Beautiful Bonnets - Easter Holidays 2025
2025-04-07 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-11 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-12 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-14 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-19 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Have you ever seen Victorian ladies wearing big, fancy hats? Have you ever wondered why they look so silly? Come and find out at our FREE drop-in craft session this Easter Holiday at the Museum of Cambridge.
Learn why Easter bonnets became popular in Victorian England, and how strange some of them were, before making your own Easter hat.
Have a go at plaiting the same way ‘Mad Hatters’ used to for hundreds of years!
This drop-in craft is suitable for families with children 5+. No need to book, just pop in to the Enid Porter Room at the Museum.

Dates:
Monday 7th April
Friday 11th April
Saturday 12th April
Monday 14th April
Friday 18th April
Saturday 19th April

Time:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
There is no need to book a ticket for this event. It is a FREE drop-in activity in the Enid Porter Room.

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Exhibition: Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge
2025-04-26 - 2026-01-26 | The Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge is the first exhibition of its kind, shining a light on the lives and experiences of the Caribbean Windrush community and those who left an indelible mark on Cambridge and the UK.
This co-curated exhibition was created in partnership with Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi and the African Caribbean Research Group.
Featuring for the first time a series of oral histories from local Caribbean Elders in Cambridge, the oral histories capture special moments of family history, experiences and invaluable community stories. Stories collected in partnership with Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi share the fantastic legacy of the Windrush generation through music, food, religion, the arts and community. From pub landlords, local newsagent owners and steelpan bands, the exhibition celebrates the people at the heart of Cambridge’s community.
This project was only made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. This project brought together an intergenerational team of volunteers to tell the story of the local community. A group of young “Windrush Curators” worked alongside elders, family members and local community members to research, uncover and share the untold histories of Cambridge’s Caribbean past.
Displaying a range of personal items on loan from community members, the exhibit features photographs, textiles, steel pans, local cricket history and 6 new oral histories for visitors to explore.
Find out more about the exhibition here.
Accessibility
You can read about our accessibility information on our website here Accessibility – The Museum of Cambridge. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Visitors with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Little Feet, Big Impressions
2025-04-30, 2025-05-14, 2025-05-28 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Little Feet, Big Impressions at the Museum of Cambridge!
Join us for our programme of FREE storytelling and activities every two weeks for families with children aged 1-5.
Be welcomed into the Museum’s purpose-built event space, the Enid Porter Room, with complementary tea and coffee, before entering our 16th-century building to explore the objects on display with some storytelling.
Then return to the Enid Porter Room for a sensory activity related to the story you heard.
Little Feet, Big Impressions is a unique opportunity for you and your little ones to engage with history in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Sessions run every other Wednesday from 10:30 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 15:30. Both sessions are identical, so please book for whichever is most convenient.
This is NOT a drop-in session, and will begin at the advertised start time.
Tickets are FREE, but places must be booked in advance. Please book for you and your child (minimum 2 tickets)

Talk: Cambridge’s Sporting Revolution with a global impact
2025-05-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Explore the history of sport in Cambridge with Nigel Fenner, author of ‘Cambridge Sport: in Fenner’s hands’!

Cambridge had a significant involvement in the English sporting revolution that went global from the mid-19th century. Whilst University students were responsible for creating the modern-day laws of football, boxing, and a sporting ethos, it was Frank Fenner, a local tobacconist and creator of ‘Fenner’s Cricket Ground’ who made a largely unheralded contribution – until now.
About the speaker:
Nigel Fenner came to Cambridge to train as a teacher, also acquiring a University Football Blue – and has lived locally ever since for over 40 years. Following a career in teaching (with young offenders, adult with disabilities etc) Nigel today runs Cambridge Sports Tours, majoring on the book he recently published ‘Cambridge Sport: in Fenner’s hands’.
You can purchase ‘Cambridge Sport: in Fenner’s hands’ at the Museum shop. For more information on the book you can also visit: https://www.cambridgesportstours.co.uk/book-for-sale

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Audio Inspirations
2025-05-24 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-25 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-26 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-30 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-31 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-01 11:00 - 15:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Cambridge has a wonderful history of music, come and hear it! From medieval choirs to folk singers and steel pan bands, the city’s sounds are as varied as its people.
At this FREE drop-in craft we will be playing a series of local music as inspiration for your own creativity. Come along, listen in and make your own sculpture, or painting, or any work of art you like in response to the music.
Suitable for children 5+ with accompanying adults.
Also, make sure to visit the Museum for the Audio Inspirations Trail. Running only during Half Term you can explore the history of sound and music even further through our collection.

Dates:
Saturday 24th May
Sunday 25th May
Monday 26th May
Friday 30th May
Saturday 31st May
Sunday 1st June

Time:
11:00 – 15:00

Tickets:
There is no need to book a ticket for this event. It is a FREE drop-in activity in the Enid Porter Room.

Place:
The Enid Porter Room
Museum of Cambridge
2-3 Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ

Accessibility:
The Enid Porter Room has level access into the space. You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

Getting Here:
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop nearby on Bridge Street. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.

Photography:
Please note that photographs may be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.

Healthy Events:
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to welcome you at the Museum on another day.

MUSEUM UNLOCKED: A Day Behind the Scenes
2025-06-07 10:30 - 16:30 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Ever wondered what behind the scenes of a Museum looks like? Now’s your chance to find out!
Join us for a one-day special event packed with FREE hands-on activities, expert talks, and access to hidden areas of the Museum.
When: Saturday 7 June 2025, 10:30am – 4:30pm
Where: Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, CB5 8SE
Cost: FREE!*
*All activities in our courtyard and Enid Porter Room, including Collection Care Chats, Behind the Scene Tours, Design Your Own Badge are free. Admission ticket is required for entry into the Museum itself (Standard entry £7, Concession entry £6, Free for 16 and under).

💬Collection Care Chats
Hear from our Collections Officer on what it means to care for the objects in the Museum. In our short 20-minute introduction, learn how we care for our collection with specialised equipment and skills, how we track and document items, and how we continue to safeguard Cambridgeshire history through our Museum objects. Sessions will run at 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm.
🔍Museum Unlocked: Behind the Scenes Tour
The Museum boasts 40,000 objects in our care, and plenty of it is kept safely in our stores. Join our 30-minute behind the scenes tour to take a look at areas normally closed to the public and understand how we keep our objects safe. Due to space constraints, tours are limited to six people per tour, and sign ups are first come, first serve on the day at the Museum front desk. Sessions will run at 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm.
🎖️Design Your Own Badge
Want to take a souvenir home? Make and take home your own badge inspired by your favourite object at the Museum to remember your time with us!
🖌️Conservation in Action: Have a Go!
Try your hand in cleaning an object from our collection, learn what materials are used and how to clean like an expert! Join our collections team and learn about how and why we clean the objects in our collection, and how you can support our collection care with the Adopt an Object scheme!

Please note that Conservation in Action: Have a Go will begin at 11am and is inside the Museum of Cambridge building, which requires an admission ticket (£ 7/Standard, £6/Concession, Free for 16 and under).
🍰 Sweet Treats, Too!Enjoy a bite-sized treat on us! Free sweet snacks catered by local café Bridges will be available in the Enid Porter room throughout the day, as a little thank-you when you sign up to our mailing list.

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email enquiries@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Little Feet, Big Impressions
2025-06-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Little Feet, Big Impressions at the Museum of Cambridge!
Join us for our programme of FREE storytelling and activities every two weeks for families with children aged 1-5.
Be welcomed into the Museum’s purpose-built event space, the Enid Porter Room, with complementary tea and coffee, before entering our 16th-century building to explore the objects on display with some storytelling.
Then return to the Enid Porter Room for a sensory activity related to the story you heard.
Little Feet, Big Impressions is a unique opportunity for you and your little ones to engage with history in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Sessions run every other Wednesday from 10:30 – 12:00.
This is NOT a drop-in session, and will begin at the advertised start time.
Tickets are FREE, but places must be booked in advance. Please book for you and your child (minimum 2 tickets)

Talk: Secrets Never to be Told: From Cambridge to Canada, the Surplus Woman's Tale
2025-06-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
Discover the real story of a ‘surplus woman’ and her story of emigration from Victorian Cambridge to British Columbia.

A surprise inheritance from an unknown Canadian led to Fiona Chesterton’s extraordinary investigation into her distant cousin, Jessie Heading. Born illegitimately to a farmer’s daughter in 1877, Jessie was adopted by a childless housekeeper. For thirty five years she lived a quiet life in domestic service in late Victorian and Edwardian Cambridge until emigrating to British Columbia in 1912. She was one of thousands of young women deemed surplus to British society who enrolled on emigration schemes to distant parts of the Empire. She lived fifty eight years in her new country, mainly in a small cabin in a rural township.
Fiona will describe how she went about her research, using photographs and memorabilia as well as archives in Cambridge, London and Vancouver. Along the way, she will give some tips for those interested in exploring their own family history.
About the speaker:
Fiona Chesterton had a long career in Television journalism, production and commissioning working mainly for the BBC and Channel Four. In the past few years, she has pursued her interest in family history and non-fiction writing.
She published her first book Secrets Never To Be Told late in 2021. She was interviewed about the book by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour programme and several local radio stations.
She has lived in Cambridge for nearly ten years and is a member of the Cambridgeshire Family History Society, the Mill Road History Society and the Society of Authors. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Television Society.
She is now working on her second book, a memoir of her early career at the BBC, which is due to be published later in 2025.
You can find out more about Fiona here: www.fionachesterton.com

Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

Talk: Legacies of Windrush: A portrait of Cambridge Caribbean experience.
2025-06-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
From the exhibition Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge, discover the local history of the Caribbean community in Cambridge.

Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge is an exhibition exploring the lives and stories of the Caribbean community in Cambridge. A legacy of the period of immigration of the Windrush generation, families from across the Caribbean have called Cambridge home for more than 60 years. Join Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi as she explores the stories of the Windrush generation sharing excerpts of the lives of those who made the exciting voyage to the UK, of the friendships made and celebrations had. Through Dr Brown-Leonardi’s research she has uncovered remarkable stories of Caribbean families and individuals who have shaped communities in Cambridge and around the world.
About the speaker:
Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi is a lecturer at the Open University, local historian and anthropologist. She is also the founder of the African Caribbean Research Group (ACRG), and champion of Caribbean diaspora research and community in Cambridge. Dr Brown-Leonardi lectures in sociology and social sciences, is conducting research in Cambridge’s Caribbean connections, and is championing community through a local cricket league and other community events. For more information on the African Caribbean Research Group, please see their website. ACRG Cambridge – The site of the African Caribbean Research Group. Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish your or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.

In Discussion: Bishop Williams and the Cambridge Community
2025-06-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Enid Porter Room, Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0AQ, United Kingdom
From the exhibition Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge, discover the local history of the Caribbean community in Cambridge.

From international missions, to building tech literacy and confidence in seniors in the community, Bishop Lynwal Williams has been a key part of the Cambridge Caribbean community for more than 40 years. Join Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi and Bishop Williams for an in-depth discussion of the Caribbean Community in Cambridge. Interviewed as part of the Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge exhibition, Bishop Williams, born in Jamaica, has been a central part of the Cambridge community since 1984. As part of the Greater Bibleway Church, Bishop Williams continued supporting the community which developed out of front-room churches in the 1950s. His work is both local and international, supporting mission work in the Caribbean, India and Africa. Join us for a discussion of community, togetherness and history with Bishop Williams and Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi, Thursday 19th June 6 pm – 7pm. Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi is a lecturer at the Open University, local historian and anthropologist. She is founder of the African Caribbean Research Group (ACRG). Dr Brown-Leonardi lectures in sociology and social sciences. For more information on the African Caribbean Research Group, please see their website. ACRG Cambridge – The site of the African Caribbean Research Group. Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Your donation supports the daily running and conservation care of the Museum, an independent charity.

Book Now!

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish your or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.
