Thanks to our supporters @heritagefunduk.bsky.social for this wonderful look at what went into the Beyond Labels: Celebrating Disability in Suffolk project, which you can read at https://orlo.uk/Ljshg

We're delighted to announce Mai Black will sign advance copies of her debut novel The Women Who Saved Shakespeare after her talk on Friday 22 May. The novel has been compared to Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet. Talk attendees will receive a 10% discount. Limited stock available. Book https://orlo.uk/10iXV

Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when a young man walks into her pub claiming he’s killed his father. Instead of being shunned, he becomes a local hero and begins to win hearts - until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene. Book https://orlo.uk/sPXXk

Calling all stallholders! Santa has taken a break from his hols to start planning our Annual Christmas Market. If you or someone you know wants to take part, tell us about what you have to offer via [email protected] before 31 July. We can't wait to see what Suffolk has to offer!

Suffolk County Council's Mental Health Network members joined the Mental Health Foundation's Wear it Green Day today. The colour green is associated with balance, stability and endurance. Here are the Suffolk Archive team doing their bit. Visit https://orlo.uk/ThlBw to find out more about it.

Our summer what's on guide is out! Blast off for an out of the world adventure with our next exhibition The Moon: Meet our Nearest Neighbour. Space-themed talks, walks, workshops, family activities, and lots more. Available at The Hold Ipswich now. Booking https://orlo.uk/XSxoB

Get the tips and tricks you need to understand common archival documents from one of our archivists in this workshop. Book https://orlo.uk/OUNXk

Visit Our Archives on Tour trailer this Saturday. Learn about Suffolk artist John Constable, enjoy some family activities. Part of Constable 250. Click https://orlo.uk/MceCQ to see where else the trailer will be. @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social #SuffolkCountyCouncil @heritagefunduk.bsky.social#SuffolkCountyCouncil

Our conservator has been working on this map c.1584 (reference HA93/12/122) which shows "parcells of newe" land in Alnesbourne and Nacton. It's attributed to famous early mapmaker John Darby of Bramford. Visit our conservation studio in our Behind the Scenes Tour on 17 June https://orlo.uk/qg0qI

Topics include curriculum design and diversification, local history including free resources, developing literacy through history, inter-disciplinary outcomes, assessment, and how to make sure learning sticks. Book https://orlo.uk/zatK4 Network members get discount with this code NETWORK30

We've spaces left for @stelizabethhospice.bsky.social's panel event Understanding Grief, Loss and End-of-Life Across Cultures on 16 May. Open to all but ideal for health professionals, spiritual leaders; and bereavement practitioners. Part of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2026 https://orlo.uk/nIQ69

Show children that creativity knows no bounds at these free events exploring the themes of our current exhibition. Suitable for 4-11s. Funded by the @heritagefunduk.bsky.social as part of the Beyond Labels Project. Book https://www.ticketsource.com/suffolk-archives. The free exhibition ends 30 May.

Ipswich author, poet and founding member of Suffolk Writers Group Mai Black reads from her debut novel based on the Georgian club’s original membership and invites audience members to enact some of the Shakespeare Ladies Club’s likely activities. Book https://orlo.uk/j4aCp

One hundred years ago, at one minute to midnight, on 3 May 1926, the General Strike was called by the Trade Union Congress. Our contemporary photographs and oral histories (collection reference L401) recall memories of the action in Suffolk. Find out more about our collections https://orlo.uk/2YW1Z

Join Suffolk Records Society for the launch of their 69th volume. The book will be introduced with an illustrated talk by its editor, Paul Botwright. The diaries give a detailed account of Punchard's experiences in France, Belgium and on home service. Free. Open to non-members https://orlo.uk/mrqG2

We hope everyone who came to ShantyFest last Saturday had a rollickin' time with Ships Rations, The Quaynotes, and The Smugglers of Alnesbourne. Our Summer What's On guide will be out in a few weeks. Some of the talks, walks, workshops, and more are already on sale at https://orlo.uk/XcpJy

A reminder about this workshop where you can start your family history journey with a simple introduction to the key records available online via Ancestry and Find My Past. Book https://orlo.uk/Gn03M

These youngsters in Lackford look like they're having fun celebrating May Day in the 1900s. A reminder to all our visitors that we're closed Bank Holiday Monday. It'll be business as usual from Tuesday 5 May. You can find our usual opening hours here https://orlo.uk/GC9Qr

How did the people buried at Sutton Hoo get so wealthy? And why were they buried with so many objects from the eastern Mediterranean? Find out at Dr Helen Gittos' Basil Brown Memorial Lecture. Tickets https://orlo.uk/vWHm4 Bill Barton will talk about Brown's work in astronomy at The Hold on 30 June.

Visit our Archives on Tour trailer where we'll be joining the Dedham Vale National Landscape and Stour Valley project to celebrate the life and work of John Constable. Part of the Suffolk County Council and @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social Constable 250 project funded by @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

New Opportunity! We're currently looking for a Freelance Exhibition Officer (Maternity Cover) to work on the final stages of delivering our exciting autumn exhibition - Witches: Suffolk’s Dark Legacy. Full details here: https://orlo.uk/TDLjh Deadline to apply is 5pm, 29 May. #ExhibitionJobs

Lovely having UEA Journalism student Chloe Leggett at The Hold Ipswich. She was writing about our exhibition - Beyond Labels: Celebrating Disability in Suffolk https://orlo.uk/ffrP2 It runs to 30 May and was made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund UK. Book https://orlo.uk/nU2sf

Real stories, real voices, real impact. Explore the lives of people across Suffolk - past and present - with disabilities. Free exhibition. Plus, free Let's Get Crafty events for ages 4-11 on 27-28 May. Visit https://orlo.uk/d3jua and click on Exhibitions and What's On to find out more.

A beautiful morning yesterday spent collecting an exciting series of original cartoons from a depositor in Ipswich. Two car boots full and we’re excited to see what gems are within! Do you have any Suffolk-related material you think we might be interested in? Find out more https://orlo.uk/6oQMn

Got a children's book idea? Join Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency and make it happen. Learn from bestsellers Claire Powell and JP Rose and top agent Clare Wallace. Delivered in partnership with the English department at the University of Suffolk. Find out more and book https://orlo.uk/E7Y7Z