Our current exhibitions
The Snowman™
5 October 2024 – 12 January 2025
In 1978 Raymond Briggs’ story of The Snowman™ was published. The book was narrated entirely through beautifully dreamlike hand-drawn pictures, capturing the innocence and wonder of childhood. In 1982 the story was adapted for the small screen and has been shown at Christmas every year since. The award-winning film has become an integral part of the festive period and is enjoyed by children and adults alike.
The museum is thrilled to present some of the original hand-drawn cels and celluloid sheets used in the TV adaptation, as well as a facsimile of the original manuscript, and a selection of the early books. There is dressing-up for the little ones, a reading corner, and other activities for children.
© Snowman Enterprises Limited 2024
Please be aware that the exhibition features a flying snowman (which is slightly noisy), the soundtrack to the film playing constantly, and a rotating light that projects snowflakes onto the wall and ceiling.
Wild Hitchin
19 November 2024 – 19 January 2025
The ‘wild’ is all around us. This community exhibition is formed from the contributions of many people, who all love nature. Throughout the exhibition participants have highlighted some of their favourite wild places, and some of the plants, animals and amazing landscapes you can see, just beyond your front door. Carrying the title ‘Wild Hitchin’, the exhibition uses Hitchin as a central starting place and looks at areas both inside and outside of town. It takes you on a journey to show you some sites within a few miles of Hitchin town centre that you may like to explore in your own time, and perhaps even discover a wild place you were unaware of!
Upcoming exhibitions
Stuff: things that make us human
25 January to 30 March 2025
For a long time, people thought that making tools is what separates humans from other animals. History books used to talk about ‘man the toolmaker’, but we have discovered that many other animals – not just apes – also make and use tools. And the phrase doesn’t even include women!
What makes humans different? We have attachments to our things that no other animal seems to: we give it meaning and it holds memories. We can love it, and we use it to show who we are, Humanity’s unique behaviour is all based around our stuff.
This exhibition draws from all the Museum’s collections, from art to archaeology, from costume to natural history. Expect the unexpected!
Past exhibitions
Find out about past exhibitions here.