“The Stories Behind the Stitches” is a temporary exhibition of needlework, quilts, and other textile objects which explore how the needle and thread has been paramount in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire community’s self-expression during times of War, throughout education, and times of celebration. The exhibit is now open and will be on display until Autumn 2024.

The exhibition highlights how textiles have been instrumental in self-expression throughout milestones in a person or communities’ life. Visitors will be taken on a journey which allows them to consider themes of education, family-life, disability, and celebration, and how these are expressed through textiles.

Due to the nature of our 16th-century old building, the Museum of Cambridge is not wheelchair accessible. However, there will be a curator talk on this exhibit, “Textiles Therapy: Aiding mental health, mourning, disability, and injury” that will be held in our hireable space, which has level access, and there is an accessible bathroom on site. We are working on enhancing our accessibility, and we recognise that this is a core development priority. This talk allows the Museum to discuss disability within the collection and share these objects and research in an accessible space.