MOX Highlights
Visiting
Get ready to discover Oxford’s history at the Museum of Oxford (MOX). We’re open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. There’s no fixed charge for entry, simply pay what you can by donation. Groups of 10 or more people should book their visit in advance.
Plan your visit
Access
We are committed to supporting everyone’s access needs at the Museum of Oxford and are wheelchair accessible. Find out everything you need to know ahead of your visit, including information about step-free and wheelchair access, large print guides, sensory resources and a visual story to aid your visit.
Access at the Museum
MOX Online
Explore Oxford’s history from anywhere in the world with our online resources. Discover stories from Oxford’s communities, dig deeper into Oxford’s past and explore highlight objects from the Museum of Oxford collection.
Discover the history of Oxford
Community and Learning
Our museum is by the people of Oxford, for the people of Oxford. We work closely with Oxford’s communities to co-curate the stories we tell and offer learning and engagement programmes for schools, older adults, families and the wider community.
Community and Learning at the Museum of Oxford
Venue hire
Hold your next meeting, community gathering, private event or class surrounded by Oxford’s history in our modern and accessible spaces. Hire of our spaces directly supports our work with Oxford’s communities to protect, preserve and share Oxford’s heritage.
Hire our spaces
On Tuesday this week, we had a great time collaborating with @iraqi_women_art_war!
We hosted an all-day creative workshop, led by artist Rana Ibrahim, as part of our 50th anniversary programme. The group collaboratively decorated a dress to reflect their identities and experiences as women from different backgrounds living in Oxford and to celebrate the long-standing partnership between IWAW and MOX. We also enjoyed lovely food from @damascusrosekitchen! The final artwork will be exhibited in the Museum of Oxford as part of our 50th anniversary exhibition from April 26 onwards - watch this space for more information!
About our 50th anniversary programme: it’s been 50 years since we first opened our doors in 1975, and we’re still just as committed to sharing the story of Oxford. To mark this special year, we’re collaborating with groups and individuals across Oxford to bring together 50 different community stories. This project is all about celebrating the people and networks that make our city so vibrant, and we hope to weave a snapshot in time of Oxford’s diverse community stories, memories, and experiences. We are grateful for funding from @heritagefunduk to support this community project and exhibition.
[IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Photo 1: six women sitting at a table covered in brushes and other craft materials. They are wearing hijabs, looking at each other and smiling.
Photo 2: a close-up two women’s hands soaking a photo in a bowl of water.
Photo 3: a woman wearing a black hijab and a green checkered shirt sitting at a table covered in a yellow tablecloth, working on a craft activity involving a black and white photo.
Photo 4: two smiling women working on a craft activity involving photos and sellotape at a table covered in a yellow tablecloth. One of them is wearing a blue hijab, scarf and jumper, the other a black turtleneck and golden necklaces.
Photo 5: a close-up of women’s hands writing on a white piece of cloth in purple, orange and red ink. The writing is in different languages and alphabets.
All the photos feature the MOX 50 and National Lottery Heritage Fund logos at the bottom.]
#Oxford #MuseumOfOxford #MOX50 #HeritageFund #NationalLottery
![On Tuesday this week, we had a great time collaborating with @iraqi_women_art_war!
We hosted an all-day creative workshop, led by artist Rana Ibrahim, as part of our 50th anniversary programme. The group collaboratively decorated a dress to reflect their identities and experiences as women from different backgrounds living in Oxford and to celebrate the long-standing partnership between IWAW and MOX. We also enjoyed lovely food from @damascusrosekitchen! The final artwork will be exhibited in the Museum of Oxford as part of our 50th anniversary exhibition from April 26 onwards - watch this space for more information!
About our 50th anniversary programme: it’s been 50 years since we first opened our doors in 1975, and we’re still just as committed to sharing the story of Oxford. To mark this special year, we’re collaborating with groups and individuals across Oxford to bring together 50 different community stories. This project is all about celebrating the people and networks that make our city so vibrant, and we hope to weave a snapshot in time of Oxford’s diverse community stories, memories, and experiences. We are grateful for funding from @heritagefunduk to support this community project and exhibition.
[IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Photo 1: six women sitting at a table covered in brushes and other craft materials. They are wearing hijabs, looking at each other and smiling.
Photo 2: a close-up two women’s hands soaking a photo in a bowl of water.
Photo 3: a woman wearing a black hijab and a green checkered shirt sitting at a table covered in a yellow tablecloth, working on a craft activity involving a black and white photo.
Photo 4: two smiling women working on a craft activity involving photos and sellotape at a table covered in a yellow tablecloth. One of them is wearing a blue hijab, scarf and jumper, the other a black turtleneck and golden necklaces.
Photo 5: a close-up of women’s hands writing on a white piece of cloth in purple, orange and red ink. The writing is in different languages and alphabets.
All the photos feature the MOX 50 and National Lottery Heritage Fund logos at the bottom.]
#Oxford #MuseumOfOxford #MOX50 #HeritageFund #NationalLottery](https://museumofoxford.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Our next Lunchtime Talk is only two weeks away – exploring the extraordinary life of Olive Gibbs and her impact on Oxford in the 20th century.
Born in the ‘tough but full-blooded’ parish of St Thomas’s in West Oxford in 1918, Olive Gibbs went on to become a redoubtable local Labour politician, peace campaigner, and founding member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
During her long political career, she helped to stop the building of an inner relief road through Christ Church Meadow, prevented the mass clearance of housing in Jericho and was instrumental in the demolition of the infamous Cutteslowe Walls. She protested against the Spanish Civil War with Denis Healey and later led anti-nuclear marches with Marc Bolan, Joan Baez and Donovan.
Join local historian Liz Woolley to learn more about the work and legacy of this remarkable Oxford campaigner, as part of Women’s History Month celebrations!
Tickets are available for £5 online via the #LinkInBio (booking fee applies) or at the Museum Shop.
Tickets £5, online (booking fee applies) or at the Museum Shop.
👉 tinyurl.com/8ayacd4j
[Image description: a black and white photo of Olive Gibbs wearing the Oxford Lord Mayor robes and chain of office. Text on the image reads The remarkable life of Olive Gibbs – politics and protest in 20th century Oxford`. The speaker is Liz Woolley and the date is Wednesday 12 March, 1-2pm.]
#Oxford #History #LocalHistory #OxfordHistory #OliveGibbs #IWD2025
MOX is 50 in 2025! 🥳
Ever wondered what’s the perfect gift for your favourite museum?! To help us celebrate half a century of sharing Oxford’s stories, vote for us in the Brand the Bus competition – it’s simple, free, and takes less than a minute (we have timed it).
👉 head to the #LinkInBio
👉 submit your vote for Entry 39, Museum of Oxford Development Trust
The prize for the winning charity is an advertising package worth £100,000, including a full-wrap advertisement on a double-decker bus, onboard and radio advertising: an amazing opportunity to reach more of Oxford’s communities 💕
Thank you for your support – let’s get the party started! 🎉
#MuseumOfOxford #MOX50 #Oxford
Throwback to yesterday’s Sikh history community event!
As part of our 50th anniversary programme, we hosted a free Sikh history walking tour of Oxford led by Rav Singh (@alittlehistoryofthesikhs) & Stephen Barker (@dstephenbarker), followed by a fun art workshop led by PiNS (@pins_artist) at the Museum in which we made creative responses to the content of the walking tour. These artworks will be exhibited in the Museum of Oxford as part of our 50th anniversary exhibition from April 26 onwards - watch this space for more information! Big thank you to all those who attended and made it such a wonderful day 🙂
About our 50th anniversary programme: it’s been 50 years since we first opened our doors in 1975, and we’re still just as committed to sharing the story of Oxford. To mark this special year, we’re collaborating with groups and individuals across Oxford to bring together 50 different community stories. This project is all about celebrating the people and networks that make our city so vibrant, and we hope to weave a snapshot in time of Oxford’s diverse community stories, memories, and experiences. We are grateful for funding from the @heritagefunduk to support this community project and exhibition.
Photo 3 courtesy of PiNS.
[Image description:
Photo 1: a group of people of different ages taking part in arts activities around a big table, using printouts of photos relating to the Sikh walking history tour.
Photo 2: Rav Singh leading the walking tour in front of a 19th century building, surrounded by people in coats listening to his explanation.
Photo 3: a hand holding up a drawing of Hardit Singh Malik, a WWI pilot, in front of a group of people gathered for the walking tour.
Photo 4: colourful drawings made at the art workshop laid out on a table, including a drawing of Hardit Singh Malik.
Photo 5: four people of South Asian heritage sitting around a table taking part in the arts workshop. They are all smiling and looking at the camera.]
#Oxford #MuseumOfOxford #MOX50 #LocalHistory #HeritageFund #NationalLottery
Oxford has something of a star-studded theatrical history 🤩
In February 1966, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton joined students from the Oxford University Dramatic Society for a one-week run of Dr Faustus at the Oxford Playhouse 🎭
Burton played the title role, while Taylor played the silent part of Helen of Troy.
The Playhouse has seen many famous faces tread its boards over its 87-year history, including Judi Dench, Rowan Atkinson, Emilia Fox and Ronnie Barker. Today, you can see a whole range of different productions at the Playhouse, from dramas to comedy shows, as well as take part in workshops and community events 🫶
🎩 Don’t forget to check out our current special exhibition: ‘Ronnie Barker: Oxford’s Comedy Legend’. Discover Ronnie Barker`s life and career, from growing up in Cowley to national fame, alongside exhibits exploring Oxford`s past and present comedy scene. Find out opening times and more via the #LinkInBio!
@oxfordplayhouse @_ouds
#MuseumOfOxford #ElizabethTaylor #RichardBurton #DrFaustus #OxfordPlayhouse #Theatre #Oxford #RonnieBarker #MOXSpecialExhibitions
[Image description: A black and white photo of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton gazing intently at each other. Taylor has long dark hair and is seated, wearing a white dress. Burton has short hair and is standing, turned towards Taylor in dialogue. The background of the original photo has been removed to reveal the manuscript title page of `The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus` behind them. Text reads: `Feb 1966, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton perform Dr Faustus at the Oxford Playhouse.]
