African Legacies in Cambridge - Museum Tour

Learn about the history and acquisition of African collections at the University of Cambridge and what it means for museums to hold and curate such heritage.

ABOUT

Step inside Cambridge’s world-renowned museums for a thought-provoking journey into African collections and histories within the University. This guided walking tour is inspired by the groundbreaking African Collections Futures Report by Dr Eva Namusoke (2024), a landmark survey that examined over 350,000 artefacts of African origin and up to 200,000 natural history specimens held across the University of Cambridge’s museums, gardens, and libraries.

The report’s findings reveal that the vast majority of these African objects entered Cambridge’s collections during the British colonial period — through scientific expeditions, purchases, gifts, commissions, and, in some cases, outright looting. On this tour, we will bring these histories to life, exploring how both African objects and African people — as artists, scientists, collectors, and workers — have shaped the collections and knowledge we see today.

Along the way, you’ll encounter powerful stories of creativity, resilience, and cultural exchange, as well as critical conversations about colonial legacies and the future of these collections. This tour invites reflection on what it means for museums to hold such heritage, and how contemporary dialogue can lead to more inclusive and responsible ways of curating history.

BOOKING INFORMATION

This tour by Uncomfortable Cambridge has been developed with support of the Researching Legacies of the Past Project at the Cambridge Heritage Research Centre and the University of Cambridge Museums, ensuring a rich combination of academic research, museum expertise, and public engagement.

The African Legacies in Cambridge Museums Tour is offered free of charge as part of the public programming of the University of Cambridge Museums. This tour invites visitors to engage directly with Cambridge’s African collections — and to reflect on how the legacies of the past continue to inform our understanding of the present.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Route & Duration: The tour lasts around 90 minutes and covers less than 1km. We’ll begin at the Fitzwilliam Museum, move on to the Museum of Zoology, and finish at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA).

Bags: Large bags are best left at home. The Fitzwilliam Museum requires them to be stored in lockers, and we ask that you place your bag in a locker before the tour begins to help us start on time.

Accessibility: Cambridge is mostly flat and easy to navigate, though you should be aware of bicycles and some uneven cobblestone areas. All museums on the route have accessible entrances, lifts, and seating. If you need any specific accommodations, please let your guide know in advance. Museum galleries can be busy and noisy at times, but your guide will adapt to ensure everyone can follow and participate comfortably.

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