The Norris Museum

The Norris Museum The Norris Museum is the museum of Huntingdonshire. It tells the story of this historic county through time.

It tells the story of this historic county through the ages. Founded in 1931 under the will of local amateur historian Herbert Norris. He had spent his lifetime collecting books manuscripts and objects relating to the history of Huntingdonshire. When he died he left his collections to the town of St Ives where he was born together with almost his whole estate to pay for the Norris Museum to be bui

lt. The Museum still stands in its original building set in a picturesque riverside garden. As its founder intended, the Norris Museum collects and displays the history of Huntingdonshire from earliest times to the present day. The collections range from the fossilised bones of the giant reptiles that lived here in the time of the dinosaurs 160 million years ago through remains from the Stone Age and the Roman period up to more recent history such as the local craft of lace making and the local sport of ice skating in the nearby Fens. An art gallery displays local paintings and is also used for special exhibitions.

This white metal stencil is one of 7 in our collection from Standens agricultural engineering firm which was located on ...
09/09/2026

This white metal stencil is one of 7 in our collection from Standens agricultural engineering firm which was located on the corner of St Audrey Lane and Ramsey Road, St Ives, on the site now occupied by the Toyota cars. Do you have memories of Standens? Let us know in the comments below.

🏰 ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT 🏰Tickets are selling well for John Vigar's lecture on murder, s*x and mayhem in English churches – do...
07/09/2026

🏰 ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT 🏰

Tickets are selling well for John Vigar's lecture on murder, s*x and mayhem in English churches – don't miss out!

This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the country's foremost ecclesiastical historians, who has spent a lifetime uncovering the dark stories hidden in our churches.

Monday 14 September | 7:00 PM | The Norris

https://buytickets.at/norrismuseum/2127774

We’ve had another lovely art workshop led by internationally exhibited artist Ernie Butler on Discover the Magic of Wate...
05/09/2026

We’ve had another lovely art workshop led by internationally exhibited artist Ernie Butler on Discover the Magic of Watercolour: Unleash your creativity and embrace the flow! There was a calm atmosphere and some great pictures being created today. This is the last of Ernie's workshops at the Museum for this year but we hope he will come back again. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

🌟 NEW! Little Explorers: Autumn 2026 🌟We’re excited to introduce Little Explorers, a brand-new museum club specially des...
04/09/2026

🌟 NEW! Little Explorers: Autumn 2026 🌟

We’re excited to introduce Little Explorers, a brand-new museum club specially designed for 2–4 year olds and their grown-ups!

Join us once a month for stories, crafts, games and museum exploring in a fun and friendly session made especially for little ones. 🧸🎨

📅 First Friday of the month
⏰ 10:30–11:30am
📍 The Norris Museum

🍂 Friday 2 October – Hedgehugs
Enjoy the charming Hedgehugs story, followed by hedgehog and autumn-themed crafts, games and more!

🏺 Friday 6 November – Toddlers Take Over!
Become mini museum curators for the morning, help with some special museum jobs and make your very own salt dough fossil to take home.

🎄 Friday 4 December – Stick Man’s Christmas
Enjoy the wonderful Stick Man story, then paint with sticks and create your very own festive stick person!

🎟️ £6.50 per child
One accompanying adult required for at least every three children.

Places are limited, so online booking is essential!
https://tickettailor.com/events/norrismuseum/

Come along, explore, get creative and make some lovely museum memories together! 💛

It’s back to school time of the year and perhaps you might fancy an evening class to develop or learn a new skill. Back...
02/09/2026

It’s back to school time of the year and perhaps you might fancy an evening class to develop or learn a new skill. Back in 1898 free Dressmaking classes were being offered in Needingworth by the Huntingdonshire County Council Technical Education Department all organised by Mr Hazlitt the Headmaster of the Boys School, North Road, St Ives.
The advertisement is from the Boys Board School Archive at the Museum.

📦 My Little Memory Box – Coming Soon! ✨What would you put in a box to help someone remember you in years to come?Join us...
29/08/2026

📦 My Little Memory Box – Coming Soon! ✨

What would you put in a box to help someone remember you in years to come?

Join us at the Norris Museum for My Little Memory Box, a FREE creative family activity for Heritage Open Days, inspired by this year’s theme, Everyday Histories.

📅 Saturday 12 September
⏰ 10am–3pm
🎟️ FREE drop-in activity

Decorate your own miniature keepsake box, then fill it with tiny treasures and creations made from colourful craft materials. You can also make a little doodle book all about you, the museum, or whatever you like!

Think about the everyday things that make you you – your favourite things, memories, stories and little moments. What might someone discover about you in years to come?

Come along and make a little box of memories to keep – because today’s everyday moments are tomorrow’s history! 💛

🌟 Thank you to everyone who took part in our Arts Award Discover sessions this August! 🎨It has been wonderful to welcome...
28/08/2026

🌟 Thank you to everyone who took part in our Arts Award Discover sessions this August! 🎨

It has been wonderful to welcome groups and individuals to the Norris Museum and see everyone getting creative, exploring the collections and enjoying the activities.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the sessions so special!
Would you or your group like to take part in Arts Award Discover at the Norris Museum? 🎭🎨

If you’re a community group, SEND group or an individual who would like to find out more, please get in touch with the museum. We’d love to hear from you! Please contact the museum on [email protected]

🎨 Art Adventure Club: Autumn Term 2026! 🍂Get creative together at the Norris Museum this autumn with our family Art Adve...
27/08/2026

🎨 Art Adventure Club: Autumn Term 2026! 🍂

Get creative together at the Norris Museum this autumn with our family Art Adventure Club for children aged 6–11 and their adults!

This term, we’re exploring Patterns in Time through painting, sculpture, printing, collage, clay and junk modelling. Each session is a chance to experiment, get messy and make something wonderful together! ✨

🌀 Ripples in Time & Tree Rings – Saturday 26 September
🍂 Passing Time – Saturday 17 October
⏰ Magical Time – Saturday 7 November
🚀 Time Travel – Saturday 21 November
🎵 Musical Time – Saturday 5 December

All sessions run 2–3:30pm at the Norris Museum.

Tickets are £12 for two, £16.50 for three or £20 for four at a table. Tickets include adults, with at least one adult per table.

Booking is essential: Book your place

Come along, get creative and explore the many different ways we can imagine and represent time through art! 🎨

Why book The Art of Illumination workshop?Because you'll learn from a genuine expert. Anthea Power won the Scriveners Pr...
25/08/2026

Why book The Art of Illumination workshop?

Because you'll learn from a genuine expert. Anthea Power won the Scriveners Prize - one of the most prestigious awards in calligraphy and illumination - and she's bringing that mastery to The Norris Museum for just one day.

You'll walk away with:

A real skill you can continue developing
A beautiful piece of art you've created yourself
Knowledge of a craft that's been treasured for over 1,000 years
Memories of a creative day well spent

Let's be honest... creating something with real gold leaf is pretty special!

The Art of Illumination | Saturday 19 September | £45
Book here: https://buytickets.at/norrismuseum/2169365

Did you know? John Vigar has visited and recorded over 13,000 churches across England and Wales.And he's found murder, s...
25/08/2026

Did you know? John Vigar has visited and recorded over 13,000 churches across England and Wales.

And he's found murder, s*x and mayhem in nearly all of them.

Discover the dark stories hidden in medieval murals, stained glass, misericords and monuments.

🎤 Murder, S*x and Mayhem in English Churches
📅 Mon 14 Sep | 7:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available now:
https://buytickets.at/norrismuseum/2127774

Address

C/o The Norris Museum, 41, The Broadway Street Ives
St Ives
PE275BX

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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