Cromwell Museum

The purpose of the Cromwell Museum is to interpret Oliver Cromwell's life and legacy through portraits, documents and objects associated with Cromwell. Impressively impartial!

The Museum opened in 1962 in the old grammar school where Cromwell had been a pupil. After leaving school Cromwell studied briefly at Cambridge before marrying and settling in Huntingdon. He later lived in St Ives and Ely.

Cromwell was driven by his religious commitment from the 1630s onwards. As MP for Cambridge he became an active soldier in the English Civil Wars of the 1640s. His success on the battlefield and his skill as a politician led him to power as Lord Protector.

At his death on September 3rd 1658 he was the head of state, and for some a king in all but name. He is an intensely controversial and fascinating figure of British history.

The Museum sets out neither to celebrate or denigrate his achievements but to interpret where possible the significance of "God's Englishman".