What is Capturing Cambridge?

Capturing Cambridge is a project to bring local history to life and map the rich heritage of Cambridgeshire and beyond. It has been managed and run by the Museum of Cambridge since 2016.

It was created by the Mill Road History Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, in 2013 and then transferred to the Museum to ensure it would live on and continue growing.

Browse our interactive map to explore the many fascinating stories about Cambridgeshire. Explore 23,000 geolocated records detailing the stories of local people, landmarks, and communities, spanning prehistory to the present day.

We are always seeking contributions to the project. If you have any stories or photos related to Cambridgeshire that you would like to contribute, please get in touch by completing our Contact Us form.

Museum of Cambridge

The Museum has told the extraordinary stories of ordinary people since 1936. We care for our collection of over 40,000 everyday objects, which evoke the diverse daily lives of those living in this region over the last 300 years.

Click on the link to see details of the days and hours that we are open as well as special exhibitions and other activities.

We can’t wait to see you!

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Read More

Cambridge Town and Gown

Written by historian Dr Nathalie Henry, this book explores with the aid of modern historical methods the rise of the power that the University exercised over its host town of Cambridge. A successful market town at the beginning of the 13th century when its charter was awarded by King John, this independence from outside control was whittled away over succeeding centuries by alliances between the University and monarchs such as Elizabeth I. The book raises questions as to how where power lies in the this world famous city in the 21st century.

Available from the Museum of Cambridge, price £6.99.

Cambridge Town and Gown – The people’s fight against the privileges of the University

“This is a fascinating, well researched and very readable book exploring the unequal power relations which underline the historic town-gown divide in Cambridge.” Lucy Walker, former Chair of the Museum of Cambridge.      

Support Us

Please support the Museum of Cambridge

Help us to continue to run Capturing Cambridge as a free online social history map so we may celebrate the stories of Cambridgeshire. We have over 20,000 online articles with photos, videos and stories about local people.

We are an independent Museum which relies on support from local people. We do not charge for access to Capturing Cambridge and would like to keep it that way. Please donate to the Museum of Cambridge today.

If you would like to discuss how to support us for the long term please email Capturing Cambridge.

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