The Museum of Cambridge

Voi? Ofo? Community Bike Hire? Do you have a favourite?

Cambridge, the city of cyclists, has had several borrow-bike schemes over the years—the first, in 1993. In hopes of reducing congestion and air pollution, abandoned bikes were refurbished and distributed to hubs across the city for public use.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for bikes to be abandoned, vandalised, or end up in the river. The Museum of Cambridge holds bike number 3, which you can see as part of “Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge,” which is open until January 2024.

🌟Raise a toast to 2023 with us at our upcoming festive party!

📅 12th December 2023 from 7pm-9pm
📍 Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ

Join us for:

🪄 Our silent auction with lots generously donated by Cambridge independents including:
Jack's Gelato, Scudamore's Punting Company, University Arms, Cambridge, Cambridge Ice Arena, Shepreth Wildlife Park, Cambridge Junction, Kettle's Yard, Brandler Galleries, PlayingWithWords, Emmanuel College, Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge Literary Festival, Cambridge Sports Tours, Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester ...and more!

🚋A private view of our new exhibition: Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge.

💝 The chance to 'adopt' a Museum object as a unique gift idea for your history-loving friends and family (with the added bonus of supporting your favourite local indie Museum!)

Book your spot now: https://MOCsilentauction.eventbrite.co.uk

What did you see in Cambridge whilst out shopping for the festive holidays?

In the Market Square on Sat 21st Dec 1844, Josiah recorded
'coming thr’o the market I saw a large quantity of Mistletoe I ever seen & a very great deal of poultry Stephen bought a goose weighing 10 ¾ lbs for 6/6'.

Visit Capturing Cambridge for more on the history of the Market Square.

When researching river-related transport history, we loved this hilarious quote by Cambridge wood engraver Gwen Raverat, who discussed the perils of trying to travel up the river surrounded by naked boys sunbathing in her 1952 book, ‘Period Piece.’ 📖

“Now, to go Up the River, the goal of all the best picnics, the boats had to go right by the bathing places, which lay on both sides of the narrow stream. These dangerous straights were taken in silence and at full speed.” 🛶

✨Come join in the festive cheer and make your own Christmas wreath with Julia from What the Fleur What the Fleur🌿

ONLY A FEW PLACES LEFT!

Learn how to make a traditional moss-based wreath from scratch, and decorate it with dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, feathers, pinecones, ribbons and a little sparkle! All materials and guidance provided, so all abilities welcome.

🗓️ Dates and Times:
Tuesday, 5th December, 6-9 pm (Selling fast!)
Thursday, 7th December, 6-9 pm (Selling fast!)
Sunday, 10th December 2-5pm (Selling fast!)

📍 Location: Museum of Cambridge

💸 Tickets: £70 (includes mulled wine, festive nibbles, and all materials)

🎄Come along for a glass of mulled wine and mince pies, and take part in an activity filled with festive floral fun! With only a few spots left, don't miss out!🌟

Event link in bio.

🎄✨ Exclusive Museum of Cambridge Christmas Cards! ✨🎄

Thanks to all your support and help, we now have TWO series of our very own Christmas cards!

Vintage Replicas Christmas Cards 🎁
Step back in time with our colourful Vintage Replicas Christmas Cards, meticulously reproduced from our archival collection dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. These cards are left blank inside, giving you the canvas to craft personalised messages.

Skating Christmas Cards ⛸️❄️
Experience the charm of the season with our Skating Christmas Cards featuring three captivating black and white photographs of ice skaters and two nostalgic images of old wooden skates from the 19th century. Each card holds a unique holiday message inside, extending warm wishes to you and your loved ones.

See them now in our Museum Shop!

In an occupation lacking female representation, this 1916 photograph shows Winnie Cobb, Cambridge’s first female taxi driver, proudly flying the flag for the industry. 🚕

The concept of taxis has existed since the 17th century when horse-drawn carriages first became available in London in 1605. 🐎 It wasn’t until 1897, however, that we saw the first iteration of the taxicab as we know it today!

Here are our final vendors who will be at our Christmas Market Sunday 26th of November which also happens to be .
We hope you come round to shop our market, and then visit the Museum of Cambridge shop for so many more beautiful local gifts, cards and nostalgic toys.

We can't wait to see you there!

Find out more about all the vendors taking part on our website: https://ow.ly/FgLC50Q8N5s

Cycling in Cambridge? Resident John Howes 'produced his first ‘bone-shaker’ bicycle with its steel tyres and wooden wheels, having memorized one he saw in 1867 at the Paris Exhibition...'. Find out more cycling history at Capturing Cambridge.
https://ow.ly/J5K450Q9too

If you're planning your holiday shopping we can't wait to see you at the Museum of Cambridge this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for our Made in Cambridge Market.

Saturday has some fantastic stalls all ready to go. See you there!

Find out more about all the vendors taking part on our website: https://ow.ly/RK0l50Q8MMw

🌟✨Spend an evening with Julia from What the Fleur at the Museum of Cambridge in making your very own Christmas wreath 🎄🌿

In this workshop, learn how to make a traditional moss-based wreath from scratch using gorgeous seasonal foliage with an abundance of beautiful festive materials. Decorate with dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, feathers, pinecones, ribbons and a little sparkle! All materials are provided to create your perfect holiday wreath. Full step-by-step guidance will be given, so all abilities are welcome.

🗓️ Dates and Times:
Tuesday, 5th December, 6-9 pm (Selling fast!)
Thursday, 7th December, 6-9 pm
Sunday, 10th December 2-5pm SOLD OUT

📍 Location: Museum of Cambridge

💸 Tickets: £70 (includes mulled wine, festive nibbles, and all materials).

🌿Come along for a glass of mulled wine and mince pies, and take part in an activity filled with festive floral fun! This event is selling out fast, with Sunday already sold out and Tuesday with two spots remaining, so don't miss out! 🌟

https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/christmas-wreath-making-with-what-the-fleur-at-the-museum-of-cambridge/

There are only a few more sleeps until our Made in Cambridge Christmas. Join us at the Museum from Friday, 24th November to Sunday, 26th November, for a weekend of gifting! 🎄 We are so excited to bring together some fantastic local makers this year.

We can't wait to see you there!

Find out more about all the vendors taking part on our website: https://ow.ly/aaC950Q8M2y

One of the well-known ways to get around Cambridge by water is the romantic punt. Do you know the history behind these shallow pleasure boats?

Punts were a vital part of life in Cambridge and the surrounding Fens. Ideal for navigating the shallow Cam and Fenland waterways, these wide, shallow boats were used for more than taking in the college views but still travelled up and down the Backs delivering food, laundry, staff, coal and building supplies. 🚣‍♂️

"On the Cam", Varsity Sketches. Cartoon image of punters along the backs by King’s Chapel and Clare Bridge.

Come learn more about the Cambridge transport history at our new Exhibit, 'Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge'.

Sat 9th August 1845 Josiah rides the train for the first time 🚂

'I said we might go by train as far as Chesterford which we did started at four o’clock & arrived there at ½ past we met father at the top of Windmill Hill & got home at about ½ past five'

Illustrated engraving of Cambridge 'Terminus' (1845)

Due to staff shortage, we will be closed this Thursday 16th November.

Please do pop by another day if you were planning to come along 💫

All aboard! The Transportation exhibition Cars, Carriages and the Cam has the green light at the Museum of Cambridge!
Get on track with our newest feature page - the history of Cambridge Railway Station 🚂
https://ow.ly/Fwzp50Q4xkN

As a Friend of the Museum of Cambridge, your donation supports our ongoing work to collect, preserve, and share the stories of our city.

Join us in this important mission today! http://ow.ly/sGqY50NNOnK

As we commemorate Remembrance Day today, we recall a momentous reunion held here at the Museum of Cambridge, where Susan Smith, the granddaughter of Private Leonard Lantiff Miller, a veteran of the First World War, received her grandfather’s Victory medal from the private collector Alan Laurence.

Leonard Miller served in the First World War and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries in the Battle of the Canal du Nord. He passed away in September 1918 and was then posthumously awarded the Victory Medal of the Great War.

Alan had purchased Leonard's Victory Medal as a private collector, but he started selling off his collection over the years, hoping to return the medals to their relatives. Through the support of Capturing Cambridge and our Trustee Roger Lilley, he got in contact with Susan this summer, and a great reunion was held here at the Museum of Cambridge, reuniting Susan with her grandfather's medal.

Read more about this story in our blog: https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/2023/09/reunited-the-museum-of-cambridge-hosts-a-momentous-reunion/

📣 Last Call for "Introduction to Book Making: Coptic Bindings for Beginners" 📖

🗓️ Date: Sunday, November 12
🕛 Time: 12 PM - 4 PM
🏛️ Location: The Museum of Cambridge
💰 Cost: £70

Join us in a hands-on exploration of the fascinating world of Coptic binding. No prior experience required!

Come get crafty to and learn about the bookbinding world with City and Guild-trained book-binder Nadine, to create your own Coptic-bound book.

Workshop includes:

📖 A deep dive into the history and structure of Coptic bindings
📐 Detailed step-by-step guidance
🛠️ All materials and tools provided
☕ Light refreshments to keep your creative juices flowing

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now. We're excited to welcome you! 🎉
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-book-making-coptic-bindings-for-beginners-tickets-723932299997?aff=oddtdtcreator

Introduction to Book Making: Coptic bindings for beginners Learn the art of Coptic bindings and dive into the world of bookbinding at our in-person event on November 12, 2023.

Exciting News! We're now selling A Cambridge Diary 'Cambridge Town and Gown: A Portrait Picture of Every Day' in our shop! Be sure to drop by to check out his beautiful photographs of Cambridge. We even have a limited number of signed copies by the man himself, Martin Bond!

🎉Our new exhibit, "Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge" launches today! 🎉

Discover Cambridge’s history of trams, trains, carriages and ferries in a new exhibit discussing the memories and controversies of transport in Cambridge. 🚋

Be it 'Hobson's Choice' 🐴 or Cambridge's love for bikes 🚲, the exhibit explores the various facets of Cambridge's travel and transport. You’ll have the chance to see how Cambridge has wrestled with travel in the city, explore modern protests, Victorian satire and the controversial arrival of the train station to Cambridge city.🚆

“Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge” will be open from the 8th of November 2023 until the 29th of January 2024.

The Museum is open Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 10-5pm and Sundays 11-4pm. Adult admission is £6, and Student/Jobseeker admission is £4.5. This is to support us, an independent Museum and charity. Entry to the exhibit is included in your entry ticket. Children 16 and under visit for free.

How long was your commute today? Josiah and his brother William had a 5-hour WALK from Cambridge to Saffron Walden when they travelled home for Christmas.

24th December 1844 Josiah wrote in his diary:

'we started about ½ past 2 and walked as far as Hinxton which when we set out we did not intend & there Father met us with the pony & cart it was fixed that he should meet us about Stapleford however we got home about 5 in the evening so we had some tea some ham & a lot of other things then I went down to see Grandmother'

If you enjoy transport history, visit the Museum of Cambridge's new Cars, Carriages and the Cam exhibition, opening Wednesday 8th November!

This Wednesday, the new Exhibition 'Cars, Carriages and the Cam' will be leaving the station! 🚂 To start your journey, check out this short history of the Wisbech Steam Tram.
https://capturingcambridge.org/further-afield/upwell-tram-depot/

It’s bonfire night! 🎆

As we all go out to see the bonfire and fireworks, peek at this postcard from the Varsity magazine for Guy Fawkes night. This cartoon postcard titled ‘Attack on the Tram’ details Cambridge undergraduates in their gowns flocking a tram as they celebrated November 5th. 🚋🔥

Want to learn more about tramways and transport in Cambridge? See our new Exhibit, 'Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge', opening on November 8th!

Unfortunately, we are CLOSED TOMORROW on Sunday due to staff and volunteer availability. We will be open again on Monday, at our regular hours.

The Museum is regularly open 10am-5pm on Monday, Wednesday to Saturday, and 11am-4pm on Sunday and Bank Holidays.

Interested in making your own Coptic-bound book? Fascinated by these beautifully hand bound notebooks? Look no further!

Join our Workshop on "Introduction to Book Making: Coptic Bindings for Beginners" 📖 Perfect for book lovers, craft enthusiasts, and those curious about ancient bookbinding techniques.

📆 Date: Sunday, November 12
🕛 Time: 12 PM - 4 PM
🏛️ Location: The Museum of Cambridge
💰 Price: £70

No experience is required!

Dive into the captivating world of bookbinding and get hands-on experience with various materials and tools, taking home a beautiful handmade book by the end of the workshop. Expertly led by City and Guild-trained book-binder and creator of Hound Hand bound Books Nadine.

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now. We look forward to seeing you there! 🎉
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-book-making-coptic-bindings-for-beginners-tickets-723932299997?aff=oddtdtcreator

Our new homepage has launched! 🚀
Visit now and use our big interactive map to discover thousands of stories https://ow.ly/keZY50Q3ori

The Museum of Cambridge is excited to launch our new exhibit, “Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge”, set to open on Wednesday 8th of November in our Attic Gallery!

Discover Cambridge’s history of trams, trains, carriages and ferries in a new exhibit discussing the memories and controversies of transport in Cambridge.

From Thomas Hobson to the first community bike scheme in Cambridge, the exhibit explores the ever-changing face of Cambridge travel and transport. You’ll have the chance to see how Cambridge has wrestled with travel in the city, explore modern protests, Victorian satire and the controversial arrival of the train station to Cambridge city.

“Cars, Carriages and the Cam: Navigating your way in Cambridge” will be open from the 8th of November 2023 until the 29th of January 2024.

The Museum is open Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 10-5pm and Sundays 11-4pm. Adult admission is £6, and Student/Jobseeker admission is £4.5 to support us, an independent Museum and charity. Entry to the exhibit is included in your entry ticket. Children 16 and under visit for free.

🎙️ A Spectacular Evening with "Ruth is Stranger than Fiction" 🌙

Last Friday, we had a very fun and exciting evening at our live podcast recording with Ruth McPhee of "Ruth is Stranger than Fiction", discussing Cambridge's old county gaol at Castle Mound. Our lovely hosts discussed Cambridge's dark history and delved into the stories of several infamous villains, including serial killer Walter Horsford, violent preacher John Green, and scheming poisoners Mary Reeder and Elias Lucas. Alongside some thematic hot prison punch, one of our presenters, Rosie, brought along a beautifully made prop guillotine that helped set the mood even more.

Thank you for coming along to a wonderful evening of enthralling stories and unforgettable revelations!

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻
Trick or treat? What does a Victorian apprentice do with their Halloween? That's right, read Polar Adventures! ⛵🥶
"a little after tea went to the institute took in Cardinal Wolsey and brought out discoveries in the polar seas".

Visit the small museum with a big story to tell! Regular opening hours have resumed. Our regular warm welcome never changes! We hope to see you very soon.

Happy Halloween Everybody! 🎃
Check out Cynthia Reavell's time at Burnside and Cherryhinton for the ghostly tale of Mr Wiseman’s shed 👻😱
https://ow.ly/H6PB50PYZop

📚 Calling all book lovers! 📚
Introduction to Book Making: Coptic Bindings for Beginners 📖

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll explore the art of Coptic bindings! Perfect for book lovers, craft enthusiasts, and the curious about ancient bookbinding techniques.

📆 Date: Sunday, November 12, 2023
🕛 Time: 12 PM - 4 PM
🏛️ Location: The Museum of Cambridge
💰 Price: £70

No experience is required!

During this interactive class, you'll dive into the captivating world of bookbinding and get hands-on experience with various materials and tools. Led by expert City and Guild-trained book-binder Nadine, you'll learn to create your own Coptic-bound book step-by-step.

The Workshop Includes:

📖 History of Coptic bindings and structure
📐 Step-by-step guidance
🛠️ All materials and tools provided
☕ Light refreshments

By the end of the workshop, you'll take home a beautiful handmade book, perfect for display or gifting. Don't miss this opportunity to unleash your creativity and connect with fellow book enthusiasts 📖!

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now. We look forward to seeing you there! 🎉
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-book-making-coptic-bindings-for-beginners-tickets-723932299997?aff=oddtdtcreator

Heeeere’s Hannah!🪓

It’s that time of year when we get to bring out Halloween Hannah, our favourite doll in the collection!

Hannah is made of wax, covering a composite shell. Due to the wax and shell expanding at different rates, the cracks you see on Hannah’s face start to happen.

Go and wish Hannah a Happy Halloween in our limited-time spooky display in the Attic 👻

Happy 143rd Birthday to the Cambridge Street Tramways, which opened on the 28th of October 1880!

The Cambridge Trams ran from 1880 until February 1914, when new Omnibuses became more popular in Cambridge and the company closed. Three tram lines connected the Cambridge Station, St Andrew’s Street to Christ College, and Market Street via Lensfield Road. Josiah Chater, secretary for the company, wrote the following on the opening day:

“Up at 7 o'clock and went to the Station and rode down in the first car.[…] We have been running all day at 30-minute intervals and have carried 636 passengers – very good.”

Happy Birthday, Cambridge Street Tramways!

🎃Come get crafty at Creepy Creatives TODAY at the Museum of Cambridge🎨

Fascinated by what these bottles contain? Come to Creepy Creatives to find out more!

📅 Date: October 28th TODAY
🕐 Time: 1-3 PM
🧙‍♀️ Age Group: 6-12
🎫 No booking required – it's a FREE drop-in session!

Cast spells and make witch bottles from glass, feathers, twigs, glitter and more! Witch bottles have been used for centuries to ward off negativity and protect against bad luck. It's the perfect craft for your little ghouls during the October half-term break. Come cast your own spells and make your own witch bottles!🌟

For more half-term events - https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/fun-phantoms-halloween-half-term/

🎃Come continue to get crafty at Creepy Creatives THIS SATURDAY at the Museum of Cambridge🎨

We had a wickedly amazing time on Tuesday making various types of witch bottles from glass, feathers, twigs, glitter and more! We had spells for kindness, raising snakes from the dead, and invisibility, amongst other creative ideas. Don't worry if you've missed out -we're doing it again on Saturday!

📅 Dates: October 28th
🕐 Time: 1-3 PM
🧙‍♀️ Age Group: 6-12
🎫 No booking required – it's a FREE drop-in session!

Witch bottles have been used for centuries to ward off negativity and protect against bad luck. It's the perfect craft for your little ghouls during the October half-term break. Come cast your own spells and make your own witch bottles!🌟

For more half term events - https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/event/fun-phantoms-halloween-half-term/

It's tomorrow! 🗡️☠️⚰️🪦

Back by hugely popular demand! A special live podcast event with Ruth McPhee and guests, taking a journey into the darker side of Cambridge's history with stories from the old county gaol at Castle Mound. From the mid-17th to early 20th century, the prison housed some of the region's most wretched and devious criminals and provided the site for high-profile and historic executions. Join us to hear about the fate of such infamous villains as serial killer Walter Horsford, violent preacher John Green, and scheming poisoners Mary Reeder and Elias Lucas.

Book here: https://ow.ly/TE8650PHLQ9

The Museum of Cambridge is thrilled to announce that we are taking part in a funded energy audit scheme with Touchstone Energy Management Services. This incredible initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support from the SHARE Environmentally Responsible Museums project, funded by the Arts Council and the Heritage Fund.

🌿 Our Commitment to Sustainability

At the Museum of Cambridge, we've always strived to be custodians of history, preserving the past for generations to come. As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility, set out in our 2022-2027 strategic plan, we recognise the importance of reducing our environmental impact. With this new scheme, we are taking a significant step forward in achieving that goal.

🔍 What Does the Scheme Involve?

The energy audit scheme comprehensively examines our electricity, gas, and water consumption. This means diving deep into our energy usage to measure and track our carbon emissions. We're dedicated to understanding our environmental footprint and, more importantly, planning for positive changes and improvements to reduce our impact on the planet.

🌍 A Greener Future 🌍

We're incredibly excited to be a part of this program and embark on this journey towards a greener, more sustainable future. With the support of SERM and the expertise of Touchstone Energy Services, we're confident that we can make a lasting impact.

🌱 Join Us on this Sustainable Journey 🌱

We invite you to follow our progress as we embark on this exciting path towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. Together, we can make a difference and help protect the past while securing a brighter future for all.

Thank you for your support, and stay tuned for updates on our journey towards a more sustainable Museum of Cambridge! 🌏💚