We were fortunate enough to have Dorothy Crane's wonderful photographic collection donated to us, which contains some great images of the Ipswich area in the 1980s and 1990s. Volunteer Kate is close to completing the catalogue. Explore our collections https://orlo.uk/2UX9o

Still a few spaces for the sessions at Haverhill and Lowestoft libraries. Booking required.

Suffolk Archives@suffolkarchives.bsky.social · 6d ago

We've still spaces for Let's Get Crafty Space at The Hold Ipswich, Haverhill Library, and Lowestoft Library, a talk about The Mendlesham Armoury, a behind-the-scenes tour of The Hold Ipswich and a workshop on how to find what you're looking for in our archives. Find out more https://orlo.uk/8HifC

Often called "Britain's Roswell", the Rendlesham Forest incident is one of the most famous military-witnessed UFO events in history. Part of our current exhibition - The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour. It's free. At The Hold Ipswich until 19 September. Book www.ticketsource.com/suffolk-arch...

It's not just humans who rely on the Moon. Animals use it to seek prey or avoid being it. Some use lunar cycles to synchronise mating, breeding, and migration. Others use its gravitational pull to navigate. Learn more at The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour exhibition. Book https://orlo.uk/TDC2B

Please note, due to ongoing works, The Hold Ipswich will be fully closed on Friday 14 August. The exhibition, cafe, and shop will reopen on Saturday 15 August. Access will be via the Waterfront entrance in Fore Street only. Apologies for the inconvenience.

We've loads planned for Heritage Open Days, 12-13 September. Explore some of the diaries in our collections at a pop-up archival showcase. Enjoy talks, take a behind-the-scenes tour, or try the ancient Japanese paper marbling techniques of Suminagashi or "floating ink". #HODs2026 #IpswichEvents

IMPORTANT! We're having heater fans installed in The Street tomorrow. Cafe and exhibition goers must use the Waterfront entrance in Fore Street. John Blatchly Library and search-room users must use the garden entrance opposite Suffolk New College. Views of our solar system will be disrupted. Sorry.

We've still spaces for Let's Get Crafty Space at The Hold Ipswich, Haverhill Library, and Lowestoft Library, a talk about The Mendlesham Armoury, a behind-the-scenes tour of The Hold Ipswich and a workshop on how to find what you're looking for in our archives. Find out more https://orlo.uk/8HifC

Tickets are selling fast for this fascinating talk about this tragedy which killed 28 people and caused widespread damage across Stowmarket and neighbouring villages. Book https://orlo.uk/YTrIM #GuncottonExplosion #Stowmarket #SuffolkArchives #TalksNearMe

Suffolk amateur astronomer Alice Grace Cook led a fascinating life. Visit our new exhibition The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour to learn more. She's also the topic of our September talk The Astronomy of an Edwardian Lady. Exhibition booking www.ticketsource.com/suffolk-arch...

Our autumn exhibition Witches: Suffolk’s Dark Legacy explores the brutal Suffolk witch trials of the 1640s. Made possible with a grant from the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund. Find out more https://orlo.uk/Y0b5N Image: Witches give babies to the devil woodcut, 1720.  Credit: Wellcome Collection

Think you know Margaret Catchpole? Was she just a devoted Suffolk serving girl transported to Australia for falling in love with the wrong man? Hear about the people she knew and the places she went as we try to separate fact from fiction two centuries later. Book https://orlo.uk/q2TEB

We've still some spaces for this archivist-led tour of The Hold Ipswich - including a visit to our conservation studio. It lasts about 90mins. There's an access ramp in the public areas and chances to sit. Book https://orlo.uk/eHtBg

This month marks 57 years since man landed on the Moon. Relive that moment at our new, free, exhibition - The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour. It's at The Hold Ipswich until 19 September. Book www.ticketsource.com/suffolk-arch...

Our Archives on Tour is making four more stops: Flatford Mill, 1-2nd Aug; Gainsborough's House Museum, Sudbury, 5 Aug; The Munnings Art Museum, Dedham, 7 Aug; Constable Memorial Hall, East Bergholt, 17 Aug. We're exploring the life and work of Suffolk artist John Constable. Crafts for youngsters.

A reminder that the John Blatchly Library and search room will be closed from 27 July to 1 August and again from 31 August to 4 September. Our exhibition, shop, and cafe will remain open. Apologies for any inconvenience. Please email any questions to archives@suffolk.gov.uk

We've still some spaces left for our Let's Get Crafty and Let's Get Crafty Relaxed summer sessions. There's lots of space-themed fun for 4-11-year-olds. Find out more https://orlo.uk/EM48H Booking required.

Ancient Polynesians tracked the Moon's rising and setting points to determine their direction at night and steer across thousands of kilometres of the Pacific. One of the interesting things you can learn at our free exhibition - The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour https://orlo.uk/xfBs8

The Mendlesham Armoury, over the north porch of the church for more than 500 years, is the only one of its kind left in England. Learn about the changes it's gone through over the centuries and about the Mendlesham Armoury Facelift Project’s plans for its future. Book https://orlo.uk/cEVVP

We've two great family films next month. WALL-E is an adventure about a robot responsible for cleaning a waste-covered Earth who meets and falls in love with another robot. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial sees a lonely young boy try to help a lovable alien get home. Book https://orlo.uk/XqDf0 #KidsFilms

You learn something new every day. We're glad Suffolk County Council's Steve Palfrey found our new exhibition The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour interesting. It's at The Hold Ipswich until 19 September and is free. Book www.ticketsource.com/suffolk-arch...

Join journalist and crime novelist Louise Millar for this Royal Literary Fund supported reading group. The group is free for people with lived experience of disability. It meets on 28 July, 4 August, 11 August, 18 August, 25 August, and 1 September, 11:00-12:30. Book https://orlo.uk/nALdF

This tragic incident in Stowmarket, in 1871, caused two explosions which claimed 28 lives, including children. Hear what happened. See original photographs taken at the time, from the Stowmarket Local History Group Archive held at The Hold. Book https://orlo.uk/5KGyr #GuncottonExplosion #Stowmarket

Join us to celebrate the completion of archaeological work on the East Anglia ONE project. Join MOLA, the Cambridge Archaeological Unit and guest specialists to dig into thousands of years of Suffolk's past. Talks, explore excavation finds. Book your free place https://orlo.uk/yNURi

Thanks Melanie Willis from All About Ipswich, we're glad you enjoyed our latest exhibition - The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour. Catch it at The Hold Ipswich until 19 Sept. It's free, family-friendly, and accompanied by a super series of talks and children's activities. Book https://orlo.uk/ibTMz

Join us for food including cake from 21 Young Hearts Cafe, music, crafts, and a pop-up exhibition to mark the success of our Beyond Labels: Celebrating Disability in Suffolk project. Open to all. Free. Book https://orlo.uk/TGvDU The project was made possible by @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Ready to blast off for an adventure with our Let's Get Crafty Space explorers? Your 4-11-year-olds will be over the moon creating some out-of-this world art. We've relaxed sessions for children who enjoy a quieter space where they can craft at their own pace too. Book https://orlo.uk/nVEP9

If you've ever wanted to really look at the sun, now's your chance. The Orwell Astronomical Society (Ipswich) is holding a free solar observing session. You'll be able to use safe, specialist equipment to see the sun and learn more about our nearest star. Open to all. Book https://orlo.uk/CHHfW

Got a secret family recipe you’ve been meaning to write down? Be like Mrs Mary Raven (1781-1832, Document Reference: HD468/1/1) and record all your recipes in one place, curating a cookbook of your own. With presumably less recipes for "tooth powder". From Yop and Tom. Now in stock at our shop.

We're delighted to have been awarded £22,000 through the @artfund.bsky.social @westonfdn.bsky.social to support our autumn exhibition Witches: Suffolk’s Dark Legacy. Find out more and book https://orlo.uk/Zt6BA Image: Witches giving babies to the devil. Woodcut, 1720. Credit Wellcome Collection