Tuesday 3 March OR Wednesday 11 March 2026 (morning visit; Event Number 2603)

In Cambridge is a Grade I listed Brutalist concrete bunker, constructed in the 1950s and extended in the 1960s to be a regional seat of Government after a nuclear attack. The University of Cambridge recently supported a full refit of the bunker to house the Centre for Material Culture (CMC), the new collections study centre for the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA).

CMC houses collections that represent the cultural heritage, history and creative spirit of peoples the world over.   Appropriately stored these objects are made physically and intellectually accessible, in person, and digitally through the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology’s (MAA) online catalogue.

Our visit begins with an introduction to the history of the Bunker over tea and coffee. We shall then see textiles collected by Dr Ethel-John Lindgren in Mongolia in the 1930s alongside watercolours painted of them by Edith King (the aunt of one of our volunteers) in the 1950s, and will be given a tour of the stores.

Please Note – There is very limited space for parking on site, and we will assess the needs of Blue Badge Holders and shared transport possibilities on allocation day.  The visit will include some walking.

• In aid of: Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge
• Start time and meeting point:  10.30 am; meet at CMC, Cambridge CB2 8BY
• Transport: own – the venue is on the U1, U2 and PR3 bus routes with a c.10 min walk.  It is c.20 min walk from Station.  There are bike racks.  
• Tickets:  £25 members, £30 non-members, to include coffee/tea and biscuits on arrival. 
• Ticket Allocation date: Wednesday 4 February 2026
• We are offering two dates as capacity per visit is limited.

To apply for a place or to contact the organiser, please click here.  Please state if you cannot manage both dates and if so which date you can make.  Please say if you have a Blue Parking Badge.