Cromwell Museum's 10-Year Comeback: From Closure to Crowds and Expansion

The Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon has just celebrated ten years since it became an independent charity. This museum is dedicated to telling the story of Oliver Cromwell, who was born in Huntingdon and went to school in the same small medieval building where the museum is now located. Cromwell was a famous soldier and leader in the 17th century, and the museum tries to show all sides of his life, both the good and the bad. Inside the museum, visitors can see many interesting objects, such as a hat believed to have belonged to Cromwell, death masks, and old writings by and about him. One of the newest items is a silver pocket watch that is thought to have been Cromwell's.

Back in 2014, the museum was in danger of closing because the county council could no longer run it. People in the community did not want to lose this important part of their history, so they started a campaign to save it. Thanks to their efforts, the Cromwell Museum Trust was created, and it has been running the museum since 2016. Since then, the number of visitors has more than doubled, going from 6,500 to 14,000 each year. The museum puts on regular exhibitions and works hard to make history interesting for everyone. Stuart Orme, the curator, thanked all the volunteers and supporters who have helped the museum over the years. He said they are excited to start planning and raising money for an expansion in the next few years.

To mark the 10th anniversary, a special event was held at Huntingdon's town hall. Many people who have been involved with the museum, including volunteers, trustees, councillors, donors, and historians, came to celebrate. There were speeches and a chance to look back at how the museum was saved and how much it has grown. The museum recently bought a four-storey building in the market square and hopes to expand into it in the next five years. The Cromwell Museum is important because it helps people learn about Oliver Cromwell and the history of the 17th century. The trust and everyone involved are proud of what they have achieved and look forward to the future.