Let there be Twilight

Families and visitors of all ages have a chance to find out on Wednesday, February 17, when Cambridge University holds its free, annual Twilight at the Museums event from 4.30pm-7pm (Fitzwilliam Museum from 5.30pm).

Now its fourth year, Twilight at the Museums is a massively popular event attracting thousands of visitors from Cambridge and beyond.

At 4.30pm next Wednesday, six University Museums and the Botanic Garden will plunge into darkness – with visitors left to find their way by torchlight around some of their weird and wonderful exhibitions and special craft activities.

This year, for the first time, the New Hall Art Collection on Huntingdon Road will be joining in the twilight festivities, offering activities and storytelling based around their collection of art by female artists.

In addition the Cambridge and County Folk Museum are joining in Twilight events offering a free ghostly storytime. Booking is essential for this session.

Organiser Mel Rouse said “When a museum is locked up for the night, do you wonder what the dinosaurs, statues and mummies get up to? Last year more than 2000 people came along – in just two and a half hours – to find out.

“We would like visitors to experience the thrill of this twilight hour and to see the museums in a whole new way. Visitors can go to one or two of their favourite museums or try somewhere new. But don’t forget to bring your torch to spot what’s lurking in the shadows!

“You might see dinosaurs, orchids, fruit bats, ancient statues, totem poles or even Egyptian mummies emerge dramatically from the shadows. It’s the chance to see the collections in a whole new light!”

The seven museums taking part are the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Museum of Zoology, Fitzwilliam Museum, New Hall Art Collection, Cambridge and County Folk Museum and the Botanic Garden. Admission is free, with no need to book (except for the Folk Museum). Remember to bring a torch!

Twilight highlights:
 

Whipple Museum of the History of Science: A twilight-themed family trail. Solve the clues around the gallery leading to their collection of space toys, discover the secret code word and find the treasure!

University Museum of Zoology: Discover amazing nocturnal animals and how they see the world at night with trails and craft activities.

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences: See what the dinosaurs get up to after sunset. What will you see twinkling in the twilight?

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Follow our Body Trail (or is it a Trail of Bodies?), have a go at drawing dark and light taking inspiration from the totem pole, the samurai armour and any of our other fabulous objects.

Botanic Garden: Experience the magic of the glasshouses after dark. Journey through diverse global habitats including desert, mountains and tropical rainforest. Younger visitors can use torches to hunt for star plants. Entrance by Brookside Gate only.

New Hall Art Collection: Create a mural of silhouettes and then join us for a story at 6:30pm about what you have made. Free parking is available

Fitzwilliam Museum: visitors can experience the museum’s collection of Greek and Roman antiquities in a new light, following an 18-month gallery refurbishment. Please note the Fitzwilliam Museum will not be opening until 5:30pm.

Cambridge and County Folk Museum: Actor Mike Maran will be in the museum's attic to entertain with some spine-tingling stories. Come from 6pm for the opportunity to see some of unusual exhibits including moles paws and witches bottles. Advanced Booking essential. Phone 01223 355159 or e-mail info@folkmuseum.org.uk.

Twilight at the museums is funded by Renaissance in the Regions, a government programme to develop and transform England’s regional museums.

For further information visit www.cam.ac.uk/museums or join the Cambridge Museums Facebook page.