| Hermione Grammatike, portrait mummy, 1st cent. AD. Click on the image to enlarge |
The Lawrence Room
The background
Since its foundation, Girton has acquired a wide range of important artefacts and antiquities, often from its benefactors and supporters. Many of these were brought together early in the twentieth century in a small museum, later named the Lawrence Room in memory of Amy Lawrence (Girton 1891).
The museum houses three major collections: Anglo-Saxon, Egyptian and Mediterranean:
- The Anglo-Saxon material comes from a cemetery found on the College site in the late nineteenth century.
- A world-famous portrait mummy is one highlight of the Egyptian material, which also includes predynastic pottery, and significant collections of shabtis, scarabs, beads, and amulets.
- Mediterranean material offers a cross-section of the Classical and pre-Classical worlds of interest to scholars and students alike.
Further details about the College collections and the Lawrence Room’s history can be found here.
Work in progress
The Lawrence Room collections have recently been rehoused in new cabinets, and a complete electronic catalogue is under construction. The first stage of the online Lawrence Room catalogue has been completed and is now available for browsing.
Support
The Lawrence Room appeal continues to raise funds towards the housing, conservation and recording of the collections. Donations will also help to promote and maximise access to this outstanding resource for both teaching and research. A donation form can be downloaded here.
Access
The Lawrence Room is open to visitors every Thursday afternoon 2pm - 4pm; other times by appointment only (please allow at least 24 hours).
Humanities Writing Competition
In 2011-12 the College will be launching its first Sixth Form writing competition. Based on six objects in the Lawrence Room, students are asked to do their own research into themes they raise and produce a written response. More information can be found on the Humanities Writing Competition page.
Contact
For all enquiries, and to make appointments, please email lawrenceroom@girton.cam.ac.uk.
Committee
The Lawrence Room Committee consists of:
Ex officio members
- Frances Gandy (Librarian and Curator)
- Lila Janik (Director of Studies in Archaeology and Anthropology)
- Helen van Noorden (Director of Studies in Classics, Committee Secretary)
Co-opted members
- Peter Sparks (Life Fellow)
- Dorothy Thompson (Life Fellow, Committee Chair)
News - Festival of Ideas and Girton's Lawrence Room
Come and explore far and near ancient worlds at Girton on Saturday 22nd October! Girton's own museum of antiquities, the Lawrence Room, will be running a range of hands-on activities for all ages from 10am to 4pm. Hear a talk about dating pottery remains, find your Roman and Anglo-Saxon ancestors in the grounds, recreate a grave, decorate your own Egyptian mask, or create a shabti figure to serve you in the afterlife. Talks at 11am and 2pm (11am aimed at younger children); archaeology trails at 12pm and 3pm. Knowledgeable curators will open the Lawrence Room from 10am-4pm. We'll look forward to seeing you!