Spalding Gentlemen's Society

30/05/2026

Our exhibitions on ‘Science’ and ‘Navigation’ are currently on display at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens.

Explore the history of navigation from 1700 to the present day: from the search for an accurate way to measure longitude to modern OS mapping.

In the Ambler Room, discover more about those early Society members whose experiments and discoveries in medicine, botany, optics and engineering helped shape our understanding of science and nature today.

28/05/2026

Join a Victoria County History Spalding workshop on Medieval and Early Modern History, held on Saturday 30th May.

This workshop is open to all – no matter your skills or experience – as a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the early history of the region and to work with documents from the time.

Find out more and book your space here: https://www.sgsoc.org/events/vch-workshop-medieval-and-early-modern-history

27/05/2026

Thank you to all the attendees and helpers who braved the heat and came to our half-term workshop yesterday. The children enjoyed a range of hands-on activities to discover all about the Ancient Greeks.

Want to hear about our upcoming events? You can sign up to the Spalding Gentlemen's Society newsletter on our website ☑️

25/05/2026

Children can stay in the cool tomorrow at our half term workshop - all about the Ancient Greeks!

Book your free place:

Bring history to life! Explore the world of the Ancient Greeks with our May Half Term workshop on Tuesday 26th May 2026.

22/05/2026

If you're looking to Greek out over the half term the Spalding Gentlemen's Society are putting on an event for the whole family. It's hosting an interactive and hands-on workshop about The Glorious Greeks at Spalding Baptist Church on Tuesday, May 26 from 10am to 2pm. Children can discover more abou...

22/05/2026

Today, we’re sharing another item from our collections. These photographs show a decoratively painted silk jacket in a high-waisted spencer style. The clothing is likely to date from the late Victorian or early Edwardian periods.

During the condition survey, we noted that the decorative paint was beginning to flake, so Paraloid B-72 was used to preserve and seal it in. This formulation comes supplied as crystals, which are then mixed with solvent, until it is the desired thickness for painting on the fabric.

Discover more about the conservation work at Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and how you can get involved: www.sgsoc.org/conservation.

We’re currently being supported by Art Fund the national charity for museums and galleries, to carry out the first large-scale redisplay of our collections in more than a century - with the help of volunteers, our members, and the public.

See more about the Museum Reimagined project here: www.sgsoc.org/spalding-gentlemens-society-awarded-funds-to-reimagine-collections

18/05/2026

Are you looking for something educational and fun for the whole family to do during the school holidays? Perhaps you might want to explore new ways of bringing history to life?

Spalding Gentlemen’s Society is running an interactive and hands-on workshop all about The Glorious Greeks on Tuesday 26th May 2026.

Children can discover more about Gods and Goddesses, try decorating pottery, learn about ancient temples, and have a go at making their own column. They’ll also enjoy hearing tales of myth and legend, investigating ancient theatre and masks, and discovering how to write their own name in the Greek alphabet.

Discover more at:

Are you looking for something fun for the whole family to do during the school holidays? Discover our Ancient Greeks workshop.

16/05/2026

Join a Victoria County History Spalding workshop on Medieval and Early Modern History, held on Saturday 30th May.

This workshop is open to all – no matter your skills or experience – as a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the early history of the region and to work with documents from the time.

In the morning, Dr Gabby Storey will lead a session to read, transcribe and learn about the importance of wills in Spalding’s history and what they can tell us about our ancestors. In the afternoon, Neal Sumner will describe Anglo-Norman Spalding and the important role played by the Priory. This will be followed by a session led by Dr Michael Gilbert on the development of the landscape of the Fens using maps and documents from the period.

Find out more and book your space here: https://www.sgsoc.org/events/vch-workshop-medieval-and-early-modern-history

15/05/2026

Eleanor, Louisa and Mary from the Spalding Gentlemen's Society team headed to the Museums + Heritage Show yesterday to hear from a range of experts and see exhibits of the latest products, services and technologies shaping the sector.

They even met some dinosaurs along the way...



Museums + Heritage - leading sector magazine and events

14/05/2026

To glove or not to glove, that is the question!

We regularly do object-handling training with new volunteers in the Society. One of the most questioned and important aspects is the use of gloves.

You probably have an image in your head of a museum worker in white cotton gloves. Historically, they were commonly used in museums and archives, though in the last couple of decades they have been phased out by most institutions.

Read more about the use of gloves in our latest blog by conservator Mary: https://www.sgsoc.org/to-glove-or-not-to-glove