SALISBURY Museum has unveiled its highest-funded expansion ever which has been three years in the making.
Hundreds of visitors are expected to descend on the museum, in Cathedral Close, for the grand opening of 'Past Forward: Salisbury Museum for Future Generations' on Saturday, July 13.
The £5.1m project is a culmination of plans to redevelop the museum to offer new permanent galleries, a flexible learning and events venue along with new activities and the staff to run them.
Planning for the expansion began in 2021 and it has been made possible thanks to a £3.9m donation from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A further £1.2m came from private donations.
Three new galleries are included in the significant expansion, including the Devenish Bradshaw Salisbury History Gallery spanning 1220 to present day, the Ceramics Gallery in the King's Room and the all-new Natural History Gallery.
The new galleries feature objects and artefacts that have not previously been on public display, such as a Ichthyosaur vertebrae, 1912 Scout motor car, and a treasured 13th century chess piece.
Visitors will see the extraordinary everyday objects of Salisbury’s past, and not-so-past with the stories of the city being told by everything from a medieval handmade face jug made in Salisbury, to a mug with Chris Whitty’s face on.
Read more: National Lottery funded work at Salisbury Museum completed
Chief operating officer Lucy Bridal said: "We are very excited to invite our local community and visitors to the city to come and celebrate with us on 13th July and see the new galleries, not forgetting the 500 year old Salisbury Giant in his new spacious setting.
"He’s a little bit delicate given his age and has to stay in the museum, so we are bringing the party to him!"
Pupils from Woodford Valley, Woodlands and St Martin's primary schools were invited to bid farewell to friends they created for the Salisbury giant during a private viewing for members and volunteers on Friday, July 12.
Jenny Mearns, marketing and membership officer, is really happy with the end result. She said: "I think the galleries represent the social history of the area and it's people and it's going to be really nice to share that with our visitors."
Entry to Salisbury Museum's grand opening is free to all and will take place from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, July 13, with an official placement of the last object in the Salisbury Gallery at 2pm.
From Sunday, July 14, Salisbury Museum will charge a standard entry fee of £10.90 or £12 with a voluntary Gift Aid donation and annual membership prices start from £30.
For more information visit salisburymuseum.org.uk.
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