Events

What's on

The Cromwell Museum has a wide variety of temporary exhibitions, events, talks and tours throughout the year to appeal to a range of interests. The entries below are our current programme for the next few months.

What's on

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‘Cruel Necessity?’

02-02-19 - 07-04-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

An exhibit looking at the trial and execution of Charles I in January 1649

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The Trial of Charles I

08-02-19 - 11-04-19

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Join us for dramatized performances recreating the tumultuous events

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Cromwell’s School in LEGO!

13-04-19 - 02-06-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Come and see local LEGO mastermind Mike Addis’s latest creation, a scale model of the Museum building as it would have been in Cromwell’s time

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Portraits Past and Present!

18-02-19 - 18-02-19

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

February Half term art workshops with artist Tony Nero

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Approaching Portrait Painting

19-02-19 - 19-02-19

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

An opportunity for younger students to look in depth at the Museum’s portraits

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Approaching Portrait Painting

19-02-19 - 19-02-19

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

An opportunity for younger students to look in depth at the Museum’s portraits

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Cromwell by Candlelight

20-02-19 - 20-02-19

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Take the chance to visit the Cromwell Museum by the form of illumination Cromwell would have known – candlelight!

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Spinning a Yarn for Huntingdon Arts Festival

06-04-19 - 06-04-19

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Visitors will be able to discover different fibres, finished yarns and have a go at winding a skein!

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Spinning a Yarn for Huntingdon Arts Festival

07-04-19 - 07-04-19

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Visitors will be able to discover different fibres, finished yarns and have a go at winding a skein!

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Inspired by Cromwell

13-04-19 - 19-05-19

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

An exhibition of local young people’s artworks, inspired by the items in the Cromwell Museum’s collections.

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Naseby: Cromwell’s Flagship

25-05-19 - 02-06-19

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Come and see a huge 1/32 scale model of the flagship of Cromwell’s navy, the ‘Naseby’

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Inspired by Cromwell

13-04-19 - 19-04-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

An exhibition of local young people’s artworks, inspired by the items in the Cromwell Museum’s collections

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Dressed to Kill: Arms & Armour of the Civil Wars

11-07-19 - 29-09-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Find out more about the fearsome arms and armour used by soldiers during the period of the 17th Century Civil Wars

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Up Close with the Cromwell Collection

09-07-19 - 09-07-19

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us for a tour of the Cromwell Museum and its collections with the museum’s curator Stuart Orme.

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Up Close with the Cromwell Collection

23-07-19 - 23-07-19

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us for a tour of the Cromwell Museum and its collections with the museum’s curator Stuart Orme.

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Meet a Civil War Soldier

26-07-19 - 26-07-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

A Huntingdonshire History Festival Event. To tie in with our new ‘Dressed to Kill’ display, pop in to the Museum and meet a Civil War Soldier.

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Workshop Wednesday - 1600s Clothing and fashion

07-08-19 - 07-08-19

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Drop into the Museum and take part in a different craft activity each week to take away with a 17th century theme to it.

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Workshop Wednesday - Civil War Soldiers

14-08-19 - 14-08-19

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Drop into the Museum and take part in a different craft activity each week to take away with a 17th century theme to it.

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Workshop Wednesday - 1600s Food & Schooling

21-08-19 - 21-08-19

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Drop into the Museum and take part in a different craft activity each week to take away with a 17th century theme to it.

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17th Century Science and Medicine

27-07-19 - 27-07-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Huntingdonshire History Festival Event. Find out more about the development of science and medicine around the time of Cromwell.

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Workshop Wednesday - 1600s Medicine and Surgery

28-08-19 - 28-08-19

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Drop into the Museum and take part in a different craft activity each week to take away with a 17th century theme to it.

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Cromwell’s Huntingdon Guided Walks

28-08-19 - 28-08-19

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join the Museum’s curator Stuart Orme for an entertaining and informative guided walk around the centre of Huntingdon.

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Levellers! Living History and Drama Event

28-09-19 - 28-09-19

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

A dramatised presentation on the 1649 mutiny

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‘The Leveller Revolution’: A talk by writer and journalist John Rees

06-11-19 - 06-11-19

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

As part of the 2019 Cromwell Lecture Series, writer and journalist John Rees will talk about the Levellers, based upon his bestselling book 'The Leveller Revolution'.

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'Cromwell and Ireland': a talk by Professor John Morrill

13-11-19 - 13-11-19

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

As part of the 2019 Cromwell Lecture Series, the Cromwell Museum is delighted to welcome back internationally renowned expert on Cromwell, Professor John Morrill.

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'Wounded, Widows & Orphans:Civil War Petitions': a talk by Dr Ismini Pells

20-11-19 - 20-11-19

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

As part of the 2019 Cromwell Lecture Series, the Cromwell Museum is delighted to welcome part of the team working on the remarkable 'Civil War Petitions' project, Dr Ismini Pells.

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'Churchill and Cromwell': a Talk by Allen Packwood

27-11-19 - 27-11-19

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

For the final lecture of the 2019 Cromwell Lecture Series, the Cromwell Museum is delighted to welcome the Director of the Churchill Archive and former Cromwell Museum Trustee Allen Packwood.

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The Cromwell Lecture Series 2019

06-11-19 - 06-11-19

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

A programme of lectures on the life and times of Oliver Cromwell

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Cromwellian Christmas Activities

22-11-19 - 24-11-19

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Come and join us for some fun family activities at our temporary display at Huntingdon Town Hall, during the town's annual Christmas Fayre.

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Cromwell Museum Sneak Peek

28-01-20 - 12-02-20

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us for an exclusive advanced sneak peek at the Cromwell Museum's Refurbishment!

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The Trial of Charles I

29-02-20 - 29-02-20

10:30 AM - 5:00 PM

By popular demand - A dramatised recreation of the trial of King Charles I by his Parliament, in the historic surroundings of Huntingdon's old courtroom.

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Museum Reopening

01-03-20 - 01-03-20

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

After a major refurbishment, the Museum reopens to the public, with a march through the town by the Sealed Knot, and a ribbon cutting with our patron, Sir John Major.

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Cromwell Museum Exclusive Access

14-07-20 - 25-08-20

11:00 AM -

Exclusive tours of the Cromwell Museum with our Curator for households/families/bubbles

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'Battle' of Huntingdon Exhibition

29-08-20 - 15-11-20

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

375 years on, the story of how the Civil War hit Huntingdon...

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Meet a Civil War Soldier

27-10-20 - 27-10-20

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Discover more about life in the 1640s as one of Parliament's soldiers

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Meet a Civil War Soldier

29-10-20 - 29-10-20

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Discover more about life in the 1640s as one of Parliament's soldiers

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Cromwell Museum Winter Lecture Programme 2020/21

13-01-21 - 03-02-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

A four part lecture series on aspects of the mid-17th century by some of the top experts in their field - this year held online.

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'Providence Lost: Cromwell's Western Design': a talk by Paul Lay

13-01-21 - 13-01-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

The story of Oliver Cromwell's failed imperial policy...

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'Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain': a talk by Andrea Zuvich

20-01-21 - 20-01-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Discover the wide-ranging impact of sex and sexuality in Stuart Britain!

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'Imagining the Cromwells': a talk by Miranda Malins

27-01-21 - 27-01-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

'Imagining the Cromwells: conjuring Oliver Cromwell and his family in fiction'

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'London: Cromwell's 'Mary Rose': talk by Steve Ellis & Mark Beattie-Edwards

03-02-21 - 03-02-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

A remarkable time capsule which has preserved evidence of the Cromwellian Navy.

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'Becoming a Soldier: Cromwell's First Campaign' - a talk by Stuart Orme

09-06-21 - 09-06-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

How did Oliver Cromwell, at the age of 43 and with no military experience, become one of the most successful soldiers of his time?

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'Rediscovering London's Lost Civil War Defences' - a talk by David Flintham

16-06-21 - 16-06-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

What were the substantial Civil War defences, built by Parliament to defend the capital, really like and where were they?

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'With Swords by their Side: Arms & Armour of the Civil Wars' - a talk by Keith Dowen

23-06-21 - 23-06-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

How were the weapons and armour of the Civil Wars produced, used and how effective were they in reality?

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'History vs Heritage: the Mythology of Marston Moor' a talk by Prof. Steve Murdoch

30-06-21 - 30-06-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

How has the role of Alexander Leslie, Earl of Leven, been downplayed at Marston Moor and two Thirty Years War battle sites?

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Cromwell Museum Civil War Lecture Programme 2021

09-06-21 - 30-06-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

A four part lecture series on aspects of the Civil Wars of the mid 1600s held online.

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Trial of the Huntingdon 9: the Witchfinder General in Huntingdon

19-05-21 - 25-09-21

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

375 years ago the Witchfinders came to Huntingdonshire...

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Town Centre Art Trail

29-05-21 - 25-09-21

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Displaying replicas of our art around Huntingdon!

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Workshop Wednesdays

04-08-21 - 25-08-21

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Join us at the Museum to discover something new each week through hands on and creative activities.

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Huntingdon Art Trail Tour

11-08-21 - 11-08-21

7:00 PM - 8:15 PM

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Cromwell's Huntingdon Guided Walk

26-02-22 - 26-02-22

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Explore Huntingdon's 17th century story!

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Cromwell Museum Autumn Lecture Series

03-11-21 - 24-11-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

A four part lecture series on aspects of the life and times of Oliver Cromwell by top experts in their field.

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‘Intelligence, Espionage & Cromwell’s Protectorate’ a talk by Alan Marshall

03-11-21 - 03-11-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

How did the Protectorate defend itself from covert enemies, plots and conspiracies, and how did it gain intelligence on foreign powers?

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'God’s Architect: Cromwell and the Godly Church’: a talk by Rebecca Warren

10-11-21 - 10-11-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

What do we know about Oliver Cromwell’s personal faith? How did this manifest in his struggle to create a church for a ‘New Jerusalem’?

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‘Tenderest Sight: Cromwell & Charles I’s children’: a talk by Linda Porter

17-11-21 - 17-11-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

‘The tenderest sight that ever his eyes beheld’: Oliver Cromwell and the children of Charles I

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‘Oliver Cromwell: Saint or Serpent?’: a talk by Ronald Hutton

24-11-21 - 24-11-21

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

The author of the latest biography of Cromwell provides an assessment of the man...

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Fake News! 17th Century Printing

18-09-21 - 19-09-21

10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

How were the newspapers of the Civil War produced?

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The Examination of the Huntingdon Witches

06-11-21 - 07-11-21

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

A recreation of the interviews held with 9 people accused of witchcraft in Huntingdon in 1646...

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October Half Term: Mask Making

26-10-21 - 28-10-21

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Join us this half-term for some creative and spooky craft activities!

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Cromwell's Navy

04-12-21 - 23-04-22

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

A new exhibit exploring the 17th Century Navy

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Meet a Soldier-at-Sea!

26-02-22 - 26-02-22

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us from your home on Thursday 17 February to meet some real 17th century soldiers and sailors and discover what their lives were like!

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February Half-Term Family Fun

12-02-22 - 19-02-22

Take part in exciting, family friendly activities this half term, and discover what it was like to be a 17th century sailor!

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Cromwell Museum Spring Online Lecture Series

06-04-22 - 27-04-22

7:30 PM - 9:15 PM

A four part lecture series on aspects of the life and times of Oliver Cromwell and the 17th Century by top experts in their field.

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‘’Faithful Fortress’: Newark in the Civil Wars’: a talk by Kevin Winter, National Civil War Centre

06-04-22 - 06-04-22

7:30 PM - 9:15 PM

How did Newark, ‘Key to the North’, become a Royalist stronghold? This talk will look at the personalities, sieges and life in the town.

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‘A Beginner’s Guide to the Thirty Years’ War’: a talk by Prof Steve Murdoch

13-04-22 - 13-04-22

7:30 PM - 9:15 PM

Between 1618 and 1648 Europe was torn apart by this horrific conflict. What happened, why and how did it impact events in Britain?

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‘The Restless Republic: Life in the Republic of Britain’ : a talk by Anna Keay

20-04-22 - 20-04-22

7:30 PM - 9:15 PM

What was life like in under the Commonwealth & Protectorate? Discover the character and contradictions of this unique period in our history.

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‘I thank God I can give you a Good Account of Basing’: a talk by Jessie Childs

27-04-22 - 27-04-22

7:30 PM - 9:15 PM

The story of Basing House, the largest house in England, symbol of Royalist defiance, besieged repeatedly until it fell to Cromwell in 1645.

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Cromwell's Navy and the London

06-03-22 - 06-03-22

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

A study day on the development of the navy in the 1600s and the amazing recent discoveries on the wreck of the 17th century warship 'London'

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Cromwell Crafts

05-04-22 - 14-04-22

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Get creative with the Cromwell Museum in a series of hands-on workshops inspired by the art in our collection!

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Online Art Talk - 'Warts and All'? Portraits of Cromwell

18-04-22 - 18-04-22

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Was Oliver Cromwell really depicted 'warts and all'? Explore the stories behind the Cromwell Museum's portraits of him.

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Online Art Talk - Women of the Cromwell family

25-04-22 - 25-04-22

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Explore the remarkable stories of the women of the Cromwell family through their portraits with Stuart Orme and Miranda Malins.

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From Dunbar to Durham: An Archaeological Mystery

07-05-22 - 01-10-22

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

In 2013 dozens of skeletons of Civil War soldiers were found in Durham; discover what these tell us about life and death during the 1650s in this exhibition.

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Amazing Archaeology Activities

28-05-22 - 05-06-22

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

During summer half term, we're digging into archaeology at the Cromwell Museum. Join us and see what you can uncover!

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Bank Holiday 17th Century Huntingdon Guided Walk

02-06-22 - 02-06-22

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join our curator for a Bank Holiday afternoon guided walk around Huntingdon, exploring some of its's 17th century stories.

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Bank Holiday 17th Century Huntingdon Guided Walk

03-06-22 - 03-06-22

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join our curator for a Bank Holiday afternoon guided walk around Huntingdon, exploring some of its's 17th century stories.

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Workshop Wednesdays

03-08-22 - 24-08-22

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us each Wednesday in August to explore what it was like to live in the 17th century through hands-on and creative activities!

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Battle of Huntingdon Talk

20-07-22 - 20-07-22

7:30 PM - 8:45 PM

What happened when our town was taken during the Civil War?

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Battle of Huntingdon - Civil War Re-enactment

02-07-22 - 03-07-22

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

A spectacular weekend with a Civil War re-enactment at Castle Hills Park, Huntingdon - Living History, drill displays and an exciting daily skirmish!

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Cromwell's Huntingdon Guided Walk

18-08-22 - 18-08-22

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

An evening guided walk exploring Huntingdon in the 1600s.

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Cromwell's Huntingdon Guided Walk

01-09-22 - 01-09-22

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

An evening guided walk exploring Huntingdon in the 1600s.

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Town Hall Tours

05-11-22 - 05-11-22

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Explore Huntingdon's historic town hall with a FREE guided tour.

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Political Printing!

10-12-22 - 11-12-22

10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Find out about the pamphleteering of the Leveller movement with our Living History weekend, including demonstrations of a replica printing press!

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The Scottish Soldier in the Fens: A Film

12-10-22 - 12-10-22

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

A rare screening of a film telling the powerful story of how Scots prisoners of war were used in the drainage of the Fens in the 1650s.

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Cromwell Museum Autumn Online Lecture Series 2022

09-11-22 - 09-11-22

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

A four part lecture series on aspects of the life and times of Oliver Cromwell and the 17th Century by top experts in their field.

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‘The Putney Debates and the Birth of Democracy’: a talk by John Rees

09-11-22 - 09-11-22

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

How did a meeting 375 years ago this November in Putney to discuss our constitutional arrangements impact on our democracy?

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‘Protector or Persecutor: Witches, the Devil & Oliver Cromwell’: a talk by Dr Rebecca Warren

16-11-22 - 16-11-22

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

At a time when there was a resurgence in accusations of and prosecutions for witchcraft, what do we know of Cromwell’s views on the matter?

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‘Cromwell’s Head’: a talk by Dr Jonathan Fitzgibbons

23-11-22 - 23-11-22

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

What was the story behind the afterlife of Cromwell’s severed head? Is the one buried in a Cambridge college really his?

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‘Puritan Princesses: Oliver Cromwell’s Daughters’: a talk by Miranda Malins

30-11-22 - 30-11-22

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Discover the remarkable stories of Cromwell’s daughters, their lives, loves and careers by an author who has breathed new life into them.

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Cromwell Crafts

25-10-22 - 27-10-22

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join us this October half-term and take part in free family-friendly activities!

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Cromwell Museum 60th Birthday

14-10-22 - 29-10-22

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Museum celebrates its 60th anniversary this October!

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Courtrooms by Candlelight

26-10-22 - 26-10-22

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

A rare chance to explore Huntingdon's historic 18th century courtrooms by candlelight, with tales of foul deeds and gruesome punishments!

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'All People One': The Levellers

05-11-22 - 02-04-23

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

In 1647 a movement known as ‘Levellers’ campaigned for the first time in British history for all men to have the right to vote. This new exhibit explores their story.

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Meet the Barber Surgeon

21-01-23 - 21-01-23

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Discover some of the gruesome cures, medicines and surgery of the 1600s!

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'The Poorest He: The Putney Debates'

25-02-23 - 26-02-23

11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

A dramatization of events in 1647 which led to the foundation of democracy

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February Half-Term Activities

14-02-23 - 16-02-23

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Join us during half-term to take part in a new family trail at the Museum, and try out block printing!

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Cromwell Museum Spring Lecture Series

19-04-23 - 10-05-23

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

A four part lecture series on aspects of the life and times of Oliver Cromwell and the 17th Century by top experts in their field.

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'The Trial of Charles I: New Evidence': a talk by Professor Ted Vallance

19-04-23 - 19-04-23

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

In January 1649 Charles I was put on trial for treason against his own people; new evidence sheds light on this pivotal event.

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'King's Lynn's Defences: New Archaeological Discoveries': by David Flintham

26-04-23 - 26-04-23

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Recent archaeological digs are changing our understanding of Civil War fortifications; what have the excavations at King’s Lynn revealed?

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'Cromwell and the Jewish Community': a talk by Paul Lay

03-05-23 - 03-05-23

7:30 PM - 9:00 AM

Oliver Cromwell is remembered for the readmission of the Jewish community into England; what is the story behind this?

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'Oliver Cromwell and the Haunting of Ireland': a talk by Dr Sarah Covington

10-05-23 - 10-05-23

7:30 PM - 9:00 AM

Cromwell has been reviled, memorialised and turned into folklore in Ireland - this talk looks at these strands in Irish history.

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Cromwell's Letters and Speeches: a talk by Professor John Morrill & Team

24-03-23 - 24-03-23

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

An evening of performance, talks and interviews celebrating the publication of Cromwell's letters and speeches.

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Cromwell Crafts: Quills and Wax Seals

05-04-23 - 05-04-23

12:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Drop into the Cromwell Museum during the April holidays to try writing with a quill, and creating a wax seal in this free family activity.

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Cromwell Crafts: Book binding

13-04-23 - 13-04-23

11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Drop into the Cromwell Museum during the April holidays to try out book-binding in this free family activity!

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