Spalding Gentlemen's Society

18/06/2026

At the weekend, our History Hunters had a fantastic time completing activities that worked towards achieving their 'Castles' badge.

Alongside challenges and games, they spent time painting their mask creations - choosing bright colours and lots of decorative elements to reflect the high status of the castle owner.

Our next session is on the 5th July, visit our website to find out more: https://www.sgsoc.org/

15/06/2026

In the spirit of our founders, who came together to share knowledge and discoveries, here at Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, we love uncovering new finds!

When our conservator, Mary, was analysing archive documents using a light box, she came across a previously undetected image, which hadn’t been spotted before. The outline of a unicorn was revealed.

Symbols like these were used as maker’s marks. They’re now a useful identifying stamp, signature or image that can help museums trace an object’s origin by acting as a historical ‘fingerprint’.

Several paper manufacturing companies from Germany and the Netherlands used a unicorn as their symbol during the 16th and 17th centuries, when this paper would have been a highly prized commodity.

12/06/2026

Interested in keeping up-to-date with all the latest news from Spalding Gentlemen's Society?

If you're not yet a member, you can still stay connected by signing up to our monthly public newsletter. You'll receive information about upcoming events, exhibitions, talks, and volunteering opportunities straight to your inbox.

Simply visit www.sgsoc.org and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to find the newsletter sign-up button. We'd love to keep in touch!

08/06/2026

Want to know more about Spalding Gentlemen's Society?

Visit our website to learn who we are, what we do, and how you can get involved: https://www.sgsoc.org/about

Founded in 1710, the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society is Britain’s oldest surviving provincial learned society.

07/06/2026

We want to say a massive thank you to all our wonderful volunteers. Your support is invaluable.

Spalding Gentlemen’s Society is not just a collection of objects in a building – it is also a community of people. We have survived for over 300 years, and continue to grow, thanks to the support, dedication and hard work of our volunteers and members.

To find out more about how to get involved with volunteering, take a look at www.sgsoc.org/volunteering

02/06/2026

At Spalding Gentlemen's Society, we've been working through our collections and removing photographic materials from old adhesive photo albums.

This was typically how photographs were stored in the past, but it has the potential to cause damage. So, we've been recording our items and transferring them to conservation-grade folders and albums to protect them for the future.

Do you want to get involved with our work? See how you can support with volunteering at https://www.sgsoc.org/conservation

30/05/2026

Our exhibitions on ‘Science’ and ‘Navigation’ are currently on display at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens.

Explore the history of navigation from 1700 to the present day: from the search for an accurate way to measure longitude to modern OS mapping.

In the Ambler Room, discover more about those early Society members whose experiments and discoveries in medicine, botany, optics and engineering helped shape our understanding of science and nature today.

28/05/2026

Join a Victoria County History Spalding workshop on Medieval and Early Modern History, held on Saturday 30th May.

This workshop is open to all – no matter your skills or experience – as a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the early history of the region and to work with documents from the time.

Find out more and book your space here: https://www.sgsoc.org/events/vch-workshop-medieval-and-early-modern-history

27/05/2026

Thank you to all the attendees and helpers who braved the heat and came to our half-term workshop yesterday. The children enjoyed a range of hands-on activities to discover all about the Ancient Greeks.

Want to hear about our upcoming events? You can sign up to the Spalding Gentlemen's Society newsletter on our website ☑️

25/05/2026

Children can stay in the cool tomorrow at our half term workshop - all about the Ancient Greeks!

Book your free place:

Bring history to life! Explore the world of the Ancient Greeks with our May Half Term workshop on Tuesday 26th May 2026.