Restricted and reserve collections

Preserving and allowing limited access to items of historic interest which are not normally on display or loaned out to the public.

There are several special collections housed at various locations around Suffolk.  These include:


Benjamin Britten collection

Including all published scores up to 1973 and a selection of books about Britten.


Cullum collection

A bequest of interest as a typical 'family library' of the 19th century gentleman, George Milner-Gibson-Cullum FSA (1857-1921).


Edward Fitzgerald collection

Most of Fitzgerald's publications, including translations from foreign languages.


Ipswich Old Town Library

About 700 works relating to local history, topography, theology and natural history. 


Local studies

Items of local interest covering 17th - 20th centuries for Bury St. Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft.


Music and drama

Sets of play scripts, vocal scores, chamber music parts, recorder group music, wind and brass band music.


Racing collection

Focuses on flat racing, though many other aspects are covered, including sporting reminiscences, history and anatomy of the horse.


Seckford collection

Local history material loaned by the Seckford Governors, a Woodbridge charitable trust responsible for administering the grammar school and almshouses.


Sutton Hoo collection

Major articles on all aspects of Sutton Hoo, in addition to the British Museum's definitive works.