MUSEUM OF CAMBR I DGE
THIS CHARMING LOCAL MUSEUM IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR A SPOT OF REGIONAL REMINISCING, DISCOVERS FRANCES MCNAUGHTON
“We’ve had visitors come in and say they half expected to be served a pint when they sat down,” laughs Lesley Whittaker, active volunteer at the museum. “People really feel like they’ve been transported back into the past when they walk in. It’s lovely to see multiple generations experience the museum. The kitchen always seems to get a great reaction; some of our older visitors are reminded of their childhood or their grandmother’s house. There’s a real sense of nostalgia about it.” Among the assorted artefacts in the museum, there are stories of some remarkable local personalities. These
domestic dwelling, it has served several purposes in its long history, resulting in an eccentric layout that gives the museum a distinctively quirky character. “The museum is as much the building as what’s inside,” explains museum officer Jan Wheeler. “It’s a wonder that it’s still standing. We’ve got a bit of the wall exposed and on display so visitors can see the original pine timber frames.” The museum, the former White Horse Inn on Castle Street, is divided into nine atmospheric rooms, each displaying a selection of everyday objects from times gone by. The bar is particularly striking:
epresenting the history and heritage of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire over the past 400 years, the Museum of
Cambridge showcases an impressive collection of artefacts that shed light on to the customs and traditions of our ancestors. This small, independent museum is steeped in local heritage – the richness of which is well worth a visit. With its winding staircases and uneven floors, the 17th-century building’s eclectic history makes for some endearing interior design. Originally used by the townspeople of Cambridge as a
26
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
C A M B S E D I T I O N . C O . U K
Powered by FlippingBook