Wisbech & Fenland Museum

The Museum houses a wonderful Victorian library. Its 12,000 volumes represent the collections of the Wisbech Literary Society (formed in 1781) and the library of our greatest benefactor, the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend. It is thanks to Townshend that the Museum acquired the original manuscript of Dickens' Great Expectations.

The library is normally open to the public for exhibitions on the first Saturday of each month and by appointment at other times. During these exhibitions you can view Great Expectations.

The 17th century deposited library of Wisbech Town Council is located in the Museum basement and holds around 1,200 items including some rare early books and manuscripts. This library is available to bona fide researchers. For further information, email info@wisbechmusuem.org.uk