Ever wondered what happens in a museum once the lights go out?

Children and their parents have the chance to find out this Wednesday (February 18) when Cambridge University holds its free, annual ‘Twilight at the Museums’ event from 4.30-7.00 pm (Fitzwilliam Museum from 5.30).

At 4.30pm, seven University Museums and the Botanic Garden will plunge into darkness - with visitors left to find their way by torchlight around some of their weird and wonderful exhibitions and special craft activities.

Highlights include the chance to make a ‘fish from the abyss’ at the Zoology Museum or your own iridescent eyewear at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Organiser Imogen Gunn said: "When a museum is locked up for the night, do you wonder what the dinosaurs, statues and mummies get up to? Last year more than 4000 people came along – in just two and a half hours - to find out.

“We would like visitors to experience the thrill of this twilight hour and to see the museums in a whole new way! Visitors can go to one or two of their favourite museums or try somewhere new. But don't forget to bring a torch to spot what's lurking in the shadows!

“You might see dinosaurs, orchids, fruit bats, ancient statues, totem poles or even Egyptian mummies emerge dramatically from the shadows. It’s the chance to see the collections in a whole new light!”

The seven Museums taking part are Cambridge University’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Museum of Zoology, Museum of Classical Archaeology, Scott Polar Research Institute, and, for the first time, the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Botanic Garden.
Admission is free. Remember to bring a torch!

Twilight highlights:

• Museum of Classical Archaeology: Enjoy activities around the gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters from Ancient Greece and Rome.

• Whipple Museum of the History of Science: A twilight-themed family trail. Solve the clues around the gallery to discover the secret code word and find the treasure!

• Museum of Zoology: Discover the animals in a whole new light. Bring your torch, follow our family trail and make a ‘fish from the abyss’!

• Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences: See what the dinosaurs get up to after sunset. What will you see twinkling in the twilight?

• Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Eye Spy! Who’s looking at you from the darkness of the Museum? Try our quiz in the dark and match the eyes to the objects. See the glistening shell eyes on our flagpole, then get creative and make your own iridescent eyewear.

• Scott Polar Research Institute Museum: Explore the depths of the Polar Night and, using starlight to find your way, follow the trail around the museum for the chance to win a polar prize.

• Fitzwilliam Museum: Join us at 5.30pm for a twilight trail of Ancient Egypt, have a go at drawing in the dark and discover some of the Museum’s night-time creatures.

• Botanic Garden: A magical chance to explore the deserts, rainforests and spectacular winter orchid display after dark, when the Glasshouse Range stays open late. Family activity trail available. Entrance by Brookside Gate only.

Twilight in the Museums is funded by Renaissance in the Regions, a government programme to develop and transform England’s regional museums, and the Cambridge University 800th Anniversary Fund.

For more information, visit /museums-and-collections to download a flier with all the Twilight museum events and for more information.
 

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