The Hamilton Kerr Institute is a department of the Fitzwilliam Museum and undertakes the conservation of easel paintings for public and publicly shown collections as well as the Museum. It was established in 1976 in response to recommendations by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in its report on training in the conservation of paintings. It is located in the home of the late Sir Hamilton Kerr, Bt, MP, who in 1970 gave it to the University for the Fitzwilliam Museum. Situated at the edge of the village of Whittlesford, seven miles south of Cambridge, it stands in extensive grounds bordering the River Cam. The premises consist of a mid-eighteenth-century house, and converted mill buildings containing offices and a scientific laboratory, and restoration. The Institute itself owns five oil paintings including two portraits of Sir Hamilton Kerr by Kalman Kemeny. The Hamilton Kerr is only able to see visitors by prior appointment.