Museum of… The Cromwell Museum, Cambridgeshire

The Cromwell Museum is dedicated to the life of Oliver Cromwell, who became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, after leading his army of parliament-supporting roundheads in the English Civil War against King Charles I’s royalist cavaliers. 

But alongside exploring Cromwell’s historical significance, the museum aims to give a balanced view of the man behind the well-known image. “We don’t shy away from the divisiveness of Cromwell, and we try to tackle some of the controversies and mythology that surround him,” says Stuart Orme, the museum’s director.

Where 

Huntingdon is a market town, best known for being Cromwell’s birthplace in 1599, and his home until 1631. The museum is housed in the former grammar school that he attended. Orme feels this is one of the museum’s key attractions: “It’s important to have the historic connection between the person and the building, as well as our collection.” The town square, just outside the museum, was where Cromwell gathered his Ironside cavalry regiment in 1642.

Opened 

In 1962, with the aim of advancing the public’s knowledge of the life and legacy of Cromwell.

Collection 

The Cromwell Museum holds almost 700 objects, which Orme describes as “probably the best collection of items in the world relating to Cromwell”. These include several iconic portraits of the leader, his family and contemporaries, as well as three  of his four swords and many other personal possessions. 

As much as 20% of the collection is on long-term loan from Cromwell’s descendants. 

Highlights 

“We have Cromwell’s personal medical chest, which is beautiful – a high-status item that he had while lord protector,” says Orme. “It also reflects the fact that he suffered from various bouts of ill health throughout his life. This included a variety of malaria contracted from living for a year in the Fens, which at that time were undrained.” 

The museum displays two paintings of Cromwell by British portraitist Robert Walker, as well as a copy of the artist Peter Lely’s famous “warts and everything” portrait. There is also the hat that Cromwell is thought to have worn at the dissolution of the Long Parliament in 1653, and his personal flask for carrying gunpowder.

Orme is the sole full-time employee. Forty-five volunteers help with events and education sessions, as well as the day-to-day running of the museum.

Budget 

The museum has been an independent charitable trust since 2015. Its biggest source of income is from proactive donors. “Admission is free, but we are good at asking for donations – people tend to be generous when they come to visit,” says Orme. The museum, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday, also has a gift shop.

Sticky moment 

“Until three years ago, we were funded by Cambridgeshire County Council,” says Orme. “But we had our funding withdrawn, and there was a danger that the museum would close altogether. Fortunately, there was a public outcry from local people and the wider historical community, which led to a rethink.”

Forward vision is key for Orme: “You have to know what you want your museum to look like in 10 years’ time. If you’re trying to rally political support for finance, and donors and volunteers, you can’t really get away with a museum that stands still and bumbles along doing the same thing it’s always done.”  

Visitors 

This year, it is on track to welcome 9,000 to 10,000 visitors. About a quarter of these are international, with a growing number from China.

The museum is applying for funding to refurbish its displays, as well as possibly acquiring a neighbouring building for expansion within the next 10 years. Orme says: “We will keep and maintain the original building because of its historical significance as the oldest building in Huntingdon.” More immediately, a revamp of the museum’s website is imminent.