10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday 20 September
Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Free School Lane, CB2 3RH
The Whipple Museum was established in 1944, but our building dates back to 1618, when it was built as the first Cambridge Free School. Come and admire the original Jacobean roof, find out more about the history of the building and its surroundings, and explore 17th-century scientific instruments.
Programme:
Behind-the-scenes: caring for 17th-century objects with Collections Manager Morgan Bell
10-10.30am and 10.30-11am
Find out how the Museum’s collections team cares for our delicate and intricate 17th-century objects in this special behind-the-scenes session with Whipple Collections Manager, Morgan Bell. Morgan will be sharing some of the techniques used by conservators and collections professionals to ensure the objects will remain in good condition for another four centuries and more.
Drop in, but spaces are limited. Meet at the Museum front desk.
Practical science in 1618 with Director Dr Joshua Nall
11-12pm
The Whipple collection contains some astonishing scientific instruments from the 17th century, but how were they used in practice? In this special Open Cambridge talk, the Museum’s Director Dr Joshua Nall will introduce you to a short history of 17th-century instruments and their use.
Drop in. Seated talk in the Learning Gallery.
Secrets of Free School Lane: a walking tour with Curator Dr Hannah Price
2.30-3.15pm
Did you know that hidden behind a Victorian facade on Free School Lane is the original 1618 hall of Cambridge’s Free School? Join the Whipple Museum’s Curator Dr Hannah Price for a walk up one of Cambridge’s most historic and scientific streets. Along the way, we’ll encounter medieval friars and seventeenth-century schoolboys, James Clerk Maxwell and Rosalind Franklin, and many more secrets...
Drop in. Meet at the Whipple Museum’s front desk.
Children’s activities: the Great Comet of 1618!
2.30-3.30pm
The Great Comet of 1618 was the very first comet to be studied through a telescope. It was so bright it was spotted all over the world! Whoosh into the Museum’s Learning Gallery for hands-on family fun and find out more about the comet and other science stories.
Drop in. Learning Gallery.