March & District Museum

04/09/2026

Here's a date for your diary- come and join us- everyone is welcome!

19/07/2026

This is a photo of March Town FC in 1958. Can anybody fill in the missing names, please?

19/07/2026

It seems there were two Maurice Payne's around in the 1970's!

It now seems more likely that the cup was presented by Alderman Maurice Payne last chairman of the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely County Council before the merger with Huntingdon and Peterborough in 1974. He was from Wisbech and later became Clerk to Wisbech Town Council and died in 1991.

The March Maurice was a Town and Fenland District councillor and former Deputy Mayor of March.

18/07/2026

The Museum has recently been given the Maurice Payne Cup, which was awarded between 1975 and 1981, the winners were:

1975 Planning

1976 Planning

1977 Surveyors

1978 Peterborough Library

1979 March Library

1980 Planning

1981 March Library

So it appears to have been won by County Council departments, but does anyone remember what it was awarded for, please?

05/06/2026

📚 NEW EXHIBITION AT MARCH & DISTRICT MUSEUM 📚

We are delighted to unveil our latest exhibition:

Through My Eyes: Being 14 in World War Two

Created by Max, one of our young volunteers, this exhibition explores what life might have been like for a 14-year-old during WWII. Through research, discussion and personal reflection, Max has investigated topics including rationing, school life, wartime work, home life, evacuation and entertainment.

The display combines local history, museum collections and Max's own thoughts and observations, offering a unique perspective on wartime life through the eyes of a modern teenager.

We are incredibly proud of everything Max has achieved during his time volunteering with us and hope visitors will enjoy seeing the fascinating connections he has made between life in the 1940s and life today.

The exhibition will be on display throughout June.

We look forward to welcoming you to the museum!

16/05/2026

16/05/2026

Are you curious about which shops stood where in March town?
Then why not step back in time and visit and explore our Goad maps and local history books display which celebrates Local and Community History Month.

Our display will be on show till 18th May but maps and books are available any time, just ask library staff.

[image of a Goad map showing the shops of March town Broad street in 1972]

09/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended Colin Bedford's talk last night. It was lovely to see so many people there, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

07/05/2026

Be part of history for the day!

Children in history-themed fancy dress go FREE*

Join us on Wednesday, 27th May during opening hours for a day of activities and games celebrating our history heroes, culminating in a history-themed fancy dress contest judged by Ely’s Town Crier at 2pm!

Do you have a toga or WW1 uniform you want to show off? Have you ever wanted dress up as Etheldreda or Hereward the Wake? Now’s your chance! Dress up as someone from history – famous or not – for a chance to win a £15 gift card from City Cycles by being the best in one of the following categories:

Most Historically Accurate
Best Homemade Costume
Best Ely Character

And, for the accompanying adults who want to compete to win a £15 gift card from Tom’s Cakes:
Best Adult Costume

Want to join in on the fun but can’t come at 2pm? Come in any time before that and have your picture taken at the front desk to be included in the contest.

Our history heroes will be celebrated all day throughout the museum galleries with a range of fun games and activities. Learn how to spell your name in Norse runes, discover how the Romans played noughts and crosses, challenge yourself to put a historical timeline in order, and much more!

All activities and games included in standard admission. No pre-booking necessary.

*Children in history-themed fancy dress go free with the purchase of an adult ticket or valid annual pass.

06/05/2026

If you've not yet had a chance to pop in and see our displays honouring Ben Gimbert and his part in the Soham disaster of 1944, we are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays 10.30a.m- 3.30p.m. Admission is free, but we welcome donations.