Share Cambridge Corn Exchange memories as part of heritage project
The Cambridge Corn Exchange wants to hear from you as part of its heritage project to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
From skeletons of medieval monks unearthed a stone’s throw from its stage door, to the echoes of corn traders, from revolutionary politics to backstage tales of rock gods, and the housing of Belgian soldiers and refugees during the First World War, the building has a surprising history.
The venue has been awarded a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its 150th anniversary project in 2025-26, with support from Cambridge BID.
The project aims to engage the community in learning about the heritage of the grade II-listed building.
A heritage team, led by Rosie Amos and Henrietta Hammant, along with a team of dedicated volunteers, are delving into every possible source of information about the venue from the 1200s onwards.
Rosie said: “I’ve worked in numerous museums and cultural organisations to help them tell their story but as a Cambridge local, it was a dream to have the chance to tell the story of Cambridge through this iconic venue.
“From the moment it was built, the Cambridge Corn Exchange has had the history of Cambridge pass through its walls.
“Every event held at the Corn Exchange over the past 150 years has had the Cambridge community at its core.”
The team has been piecing together an archive to form the basis of an exhibition, alongside a digital exhibition, from February 2026.
A key part of the project is gathering people’s Corn Exchange stories, with many already shared with the team.
These include memories of former EastEnders star Ross Kemp, as panto baddie Captain Hook flying through the venue at Christmas in Peter Pan, and a TV journalist’s account of watching the cult New York punk band The Ramones.
Rosie said: “People’s personal stories relating to the venue are absolutely vital to this project and we urge anyone with a special memory or experience to share them with us.
“It’s very easy to do, with a dedicated link on the Corn Exchange website to write and then submit your story. Or people can get in touch directly with us by email.
“These details are part of what makes the venue so special. They form a living history showing the Corn Exchange’s presence at some point or other in the fabric of so many lives, placing it firmly at the heart of the community, past and present.
“They will also feature in the six-week exhibition ahead next February, along with artefacts being shared, so if anyone has old tickets, programmes or anything of the venue’s history, we’d love to hear from you.”
Share your memories by the end of October at cornex.co.uk/news/share-your-cambridge-corn-exchange-story.
The Corn Exchange will host five schools from across the city for the youth celebration event on 6 November – the venue’s 150th anniversary – giving students the chance to perform live on stage.
The production will feature 300-plus young people aged 9 to 21.
Other activities marking the occasion include an-access-all-areas community open day earlier this year and 60 workshops with city schools involving partners such as Cambridge Literary Festival.