Collection: Ramsey Rural Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The idea of a Museum came originally from the Reverend Robert Gwynn, curate of Upwood, the Reverend Jones, vicar of Ramsey and local farmer Marshal Papworth who in 1977 set up a group of local business-men, farmers and residents to investigate the possibility of a Museum to reflect the history of the rural area around Ramsey. The Museum is situated on part of the 10th century Benedictine Abbey which was sold to the Cromwell family who used it as a stone “quarry”. The site was later purchased by the Fellowes estate (is it estate or family?) and the buildings used as workshops and stores.

  An army of volunteers cleared the site as many of the buildings required extensive repair and renovation. Existing material, particularly the stone, was recycled to retain the original atmosphere.

  All the stone buildings were originally roofed with thatch which had deteriorated beyond economical repair. Over 20,000 pantiles, donated by the public, were used instead. However in order to retain authenticity the reception building remained thatched. The Wood Barn was dismantled and rebuilt on stronger foundations. Its original use as a storage facility continues today.

  The Whitehall Barn came from Whitehall Farm in Upwood and its reconstruction at the museum added a much needed indoor display space. Entry to the museum by the public began in 1983. However, after further restoration and preparation of exhibits and displays, the Museum was officially opened by local author Sybil Marshall in 1988.

  The interiors of the Trades Room and Stable Block were transformed. Over the years more improvements have been made in landscaping and enhancement to building exteriors.

  The displays have also expanded, to incorporate a wealth of memorabilia depicting rural life alongside an array of machinery and vehicles. The collections have continued to develop by donations from local individuals and businesses . notable additions have been the contents of a cobblers shop and of a chemists shop. Both of these are now displayed as replica shops. A typical wooden 1930/40’s fen cottage was dismantled, restored and reconstructed on site. It is furnished in 1940’s style. Activities relevant to children have and are being developed.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Agricultural History

  As the principal industry of the area is agriculture; the Museum has collected machines and implements illustrative of this aspect of the area’s past. The artefacts include carts, tractors, and ploughs as well as a large collection of machinery related to sugar beet and other root crops including information on local potato grower Jabez Papworth.

  Craft and Trade History

  Groups of objects from different rural and urban crafts and trades practised in the Ramsey area. There are displays relating to thatching and fen related activities such as eel catching, as well as replicas of retailers such as G B Hydes of Ramsey.

  Social History Material

  Material which reflects the changes in social and domestic life of people of the area. The social history displays include items from the Ramsey railways, the capture locally of Second World War spy Josef Jakobs and the Ramsey Town Band. There is also a Victorian parlour, study and kitchen. The Fen Cottage reflects life in a farm workers cottage during the 1930s- 1940s.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC