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Museum Details

Scott Polar Research Institute Museum & Archives, University of Cambridge

Scott Polar Research Institute
Lensfield Road
Cambridge
CB2 1ER
Cambridgeshire
England

Collection details
Archives
Coins and Medals
Costume and Textiles
Film and Media
Land Transport
Maritime
Natural Sciences
Personalities
Photography
Science and Technology
Social History

Facilities

Shop: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Hearing disability facilities: yes

Contact details
General enquiries (Tel) : 01223 336540
Schools Liaison Officer (Tel) : 01223 336562
General information (Fax) : 01223 336549
General information : enquiries@spri.cam.ac.uk
Keeper : museum@spri.cam.ac.uk
Museum Shop : shop@spri.cam.ac.uk
Website : www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum

Open
The Museum is open to the public 11:00am-1:00pm and 2:00-4:00pm Tuesday to Friday and 12:00-4:00pm on Saturday (with the exception of some public and university holidays, and occasional other days, e.g. over Christmas).

The museum welcomes school and other groups of all ages - please book in advance. Please note that the museum is small and we therefore ask that you do not bring groups of over 24.

Closed
The Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Admission charges
Admission free

Description
The Institute was established in 1920 as the national memorial to Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his companions who died on their return journey from the South Pole in 1912. Located in a Grade 2 listed building dating from 1934, the Institute developed as a centre for polar explorers to share information, leading to the deposit of the core collections. The museum still welcomes the donation of polar artifacts and archives. As well as the permanent exhibits, the Museum regularly arranges special exhibitions and shows of modern polar art. A great range of polar-related material, including books, toys and posters, is available from the Museum Shop and may also be ordered online. The Institute has an active Friends organisation and welcomes volunteers.

Collections description
The Museum holds an unrivalled collection of artifacts, paintings, drawings, photographs (including cinematographic film, lantern slides, and Daguerreotypes), and other material relating to polar exploration, history and science.
The museum displays feature items from Scott's last expedition, including farewell letters to friends and family, diaries, the sleeping bag of Captain Oates, and the black flag left by Amundsen. The museum also houses displays on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, scientific instruments and equipment from the 'heroic age' of exploration, the sledges and skis used by Scott, Shackleton and other explorers, geological specimens, modern exploration equipment and clothing, polar artworks and an example of an Emperor penguin.
Items not on display may be viewed by prior arrangement.

Key artists and exhibits
Captain Robert Falcon Scott ; Captain Lawrence Oates ; Roald Amundsen ; Sir Ernest Shackleton ; British Graham Land Expedition ; Northwest Passage ; Sir John Franklin ; Sledges and skis ; Modern exploration equipment and clothing ; Emperor penguin ; Arctic ; Antarctic ; North Pole ; South Pole ; Inuit ; Scrimshaw

Articles
Collecting Cultures - HLF Announces Grants For Acquisitions
Doomed Antarctic Photos At The Scott Polar Institute, Cambridge
An A-Z Of Christmas Gifts From Museums, Galleries And Other Cultural Places General Information
Pre-booking service for groups
Information point provided Collections
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Public access available to collections information Disability Access
Induction loops in exhibition spaces
Induction loops in lecture theatres
Large print information and/or interpretation
Wheelchair access to all public areas Children and Families
Events and resources for children and families General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students Schools Education
Primary school education service available
Secondary school education service available Facilities
Library
Mail order service available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Research facilities for academics
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

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