Cambridgeshire has a wealth of museums, which can provide information and inspiration for teaching across the curriculum. Unlike many other Shire Counties the local authorities are not a major direct provider of services. Museums are mainly independent and university institutions.
Wherever possible individual museums are encouraged to take responsibility for delivering museum education services themselves. In some cases the County Council supports the services through limited grant aid.
Some individual museums are prepared to loan material, usually charged for on a cost recovery basis.
Museums with professional education support:
Fitzwilliam Museum
Trumpington Street
Cambridge
CB2 1RB
Contact: Julia Tozer, tel.01223 332993
The Fitzwilliam is the University's museum of fine and decorative arts, with collections which span from antiquity to the present day. Direct teaching sessions are offered, as well as regular programmes of INSET.
Kettle's Yard
Northampton Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ
Contact: Julia Tozer tel.01223 352124
email: jkt25@cam.ac.uk
An outstanding collection of 20th century art in a domestic interior, together with a gallery committed to showing contemporary work. Direct teaching and INSET on offer.
Museum of Classical Archaeology
Sidgwick Avenue
Cambridge
CB3 9DA
Contact: Jackie Strawbridge tel 01223 767044
email: js443@cam.ac.uk
Collection of casts of statuary from classical antiquity, including Egyptian, Greek and Roman material. Regular direct teaching sessions and project work.
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Downing Street
Cambridge
CB2 3EQ
Contact: Annette Shelford tel 01223 333456
email: Annette@esc.cam.ac.uk
Rocks and fossils including dinosaurs, from throughout the world, but especially good local collections. Teaching sessions supported by handling materials and loan collections.
University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Contact: Sarah Jane Harknett tel 01223 333516
email: sjh201@cam.ac.uk
World collection of archaeology and anthropology, including representative material from the Cambridge sub-region.
Cambridge & County Folk Museum
Castle Street
Cambridge
CB3 0AQ
Contact: Tamsin Wimhurst tel.01223 355159
email: tamsin@folkmuseum.org.uk
Social and domestic history collections in a 17th century timber framed building, with strong Victorian material. Direct teaching offered and some loan material.
The Museum is currently closed for refurbishment and is due to re-open in the summer of 2005.
Duxford Airfield
Duxford
CB2 4QR
Contact: Sue Chippington, tel. 01223 – 499340
email: schippington@iwm.org.uk
An out station of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford offers a comprehensive aircraft collection, as well as land warfare exhibits and displays about the Home Front, and local regiments, located on a WWI & WWII airfield. Wide range of teaching sessions, special conferences for A level students, and activity days.
Farmland Museum
Denny Abbey
Waterbeach
Cambridge
CB5 9PQ
Contact: Chris Leuchars, tel.01223 860988
email: education@farmlandmuseum.org.uk
The Farmland Museum is concerned with the agricultural history of the County and is highly suitable for a range of projects across all Key Stages. The site includes the Abbey monument which is a fascinating study on its own, or in conjunction with a museum visit.
Wisbech & Fenland Museum
Museum Square
Wisbech
PE13 1ES
Contact: tel. 01945 – 583817
email: education@wisbechmuseum.org.uk
or Karen Chancellor on wideskies@wisbechmuseum.org.uk
Wide ranging collections in a purpose built mid 19th century museum. Also offers support to the other museums in the Fenland area for their education work viz. Octavia Hill Birth Place Museum, Wisbech, March Museum, Whittlesea Museum, Chatteris Museum. Teaching and handling sessions on offer.
The following museums run education projects and can offer high quality teaching materials for schools.
St Neots Museum
New Street
St Neots
PE19 1AE
Contact: Elly Wright, tel. 01480 388921
email: education@stneotsmuseum.org.uk
or Alec Morrison on wideskies@stneotsmuseum.org.uk
Part of the Wideskies Programme
Norris Museum
The Broadway
St Ives
PE17 4BX
Contact: Bob Murdoch, tel. 01480 465101
Part of the Wideskies Programme
Cromwell Museum
Grammar School Walk
Huntingdon
PE29 3LF
Contact: Alan Butler tel 01480 – 375830
Part of the Wideskies Programme