We were delighted to welcome a swarm of visitors during our Open Cambridge event on Thursday 18 September. During the four hours we were open, we saw well over 300 visitors entering the library and visiting our latest exhibition on Making Medieval Manuscripts. 

Visitors enjoying the exhibition at the Parker Library.

In addition to the exhibition and the atmospheric room, we treated the visitors with not one but two additional points of interest. Cambridge College Conservation Consortium set up their tables at the far end of the library. The visitors had an opportunity to observe materials and methods used, and to discuss modern conservation objectives with Book and Manuscript Conservator Lizzie Willets and the Head of Conservation Flavio Marzo. 

Conservation hard at work showing and demonstrating their craft.

The second treat was the possibility of investigating traces of lost Cambridge, or in this particular case, to discuss with our College Archivist, Genny Silvanus, what was on the college site before New Court was built by William Wilkins in the 1820s. Genny brought out the 1822 plan of the main college site (Old House), showing the existing buildings and helping visitors orientate themselves by the churches and Old Court.

College Archivist and visitors inspecting the plan of the College from 1822.

No-one could doubt the enthusiasm with which we all approach our work to look after the historic collections in the College. The appreciation shown by our interested visitors and all the positive feedback we received encourages us to continue to open up for Open Cambridge.

Thank you to everyone who participated to make the day so memorable!
 

Tuija Ainonen

Sub-Librarian / Special Collections Librarian at the Parker Library