Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 78
A transformative journey
through heritage conservation
and cultural innovation
Poole Museum in Dorset will reopen in Summer 2025 with a brand-new offer for visitors and residents
following an extensive two-and-a-half-year redevelopment.
The attraction is located on the quayside in the historic
heart of Poole Old Town and occupies an estate of three
Grade I and II listed buildings: Oakley’s Mill, a Victorian
grain warehouse and later mill; the Town Cellars, a
medieval commercial warehouse; and Scaplen’s Court
and Garden, a medieval merchant’s house in a courtyard
style with a 1930s arts and crafts walled garden. Complementing the historic estate of buildings is Sir Anthony
Caro’s striking Sea Music sculpture, a prominent piece of
contemporary public art on the Quay.
A major award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
enabled the project to start at the end of 2019. This
timing meant that much of the development phase of the
project had to be managed through the challenges of the
coronavirus pandemic. The first building works started
on site in summer 2022.
The redevelopment represents an investment of well over
£10m in Poole Museum, a town museum with impressive
visitor numbers, the museum was already the South
West’s most visited free attraction before it closed. Alongside The National Lottery Heritage Fund, key financial
contributions have come from BCP Council, Historic
England, Arts Council England, the UK Government,
and other trusts foundations and major donors*.
A bold vision for redevelopment
Master planning for the redevelopment of Poole Museum,
which is owned and operated by Bournemouth,
Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP), began in 2018.
Above, The inside of Town Cellars - Image credit Matthew Andrews. Taken on site at the end of 2024 with basebuild works underway, the
new “Shipwreck!” gallery in the Town Cellars will showcase the museum’s internationally significant maritime archaeology collection, including
ship timbers, cargo finds, and interactive digital displays.
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