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In April 1995 the Churchill papers were bought for the Nation for 12.5 million pounds. This was one of the first grants made by the Heritage Lottery Fund and made the Churchill Papers front page news.

̽��ֱ��Winston Churchill Open Day will illustrate the strength and depth of the collection, by showing many of its treasures.

̽��ֱ��Churchill Papers consist of original documents composed, sent or received by Winston Churchill during the course of his long life (1874-1965). They chart the amazing career of a man who was, successively and sometimes simultaneously, a soldier, journalist, biographer, historian, orator, statesman and Prime Minister. They also shed light on the most important national and international events and personalities of the first half of the twentieth century.

Tours of the conservation workshop will allow the public to see some of the intricate work that has taken place behind the scenes and without which the collection could not be accessed today.

“This is a chance for people to come in and find out more about the collection, the work of the Churchill Archives Centre, and how they can gain access to this great historical resource,” said Centre Director Allen Packwood.

̽��ֱ��Day also marks the sixtieth anniversary of Churchill’s famous Iron Curtain speech. It will end with a public lecture in the Wolfson Lecture Theatre at Churchill College by David Reynolds, Professor of International History at Cambridge ̽��ֱ��, and author of the acclaimed ‘In Command of History - Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War. David’s talk, ‘ ̽��ֱ��Iron Curtain Speech: Sixty Years On’, will draw heavily on material from the Papers.

̽��ֱ��event takes place between 2 and 4pm at the Churchill Archives Centre in the grounds of Churchill College, Cambridge.

̽��ֱ��Centre was purpose built in 1973 to house the personal papers of Sir Winston Churchill and other prominent figures of his era and beyond. These include Margaret Thatcher, Neil Kinnock, Enoch Powell, Field Marshal Lord Slim, Admiral Ramsay, Rosalind Franklin and Sir Frank Whittle.

̽��ֱ��Open Day and Lecture are open to all. Places on the conservation tours are limited and interested parties should book a place by contacting Julie Sanderson (email: julie.sanderson@chu.cam.ac.uk or telephone: 01223 336166).