Poole Museum in Dorset, currently undergoing a £10.3 million redevelopment, is set to reopen in the summer of 2025.
The museum, which closed for refurbishment in 2022, had initially been expected to reopen in the spring but will now launch a few months later as work progresses on its conservation, restoration, and remodelling.
Owned by BCP Council, the revamp of the museum’s three listed buildings is moving forward quickly. To ensure the smooth completion of the project, Jaine Fitzpatrick has been appointed as interim director to oversee the final stages and the relaunch.
The museum, which will remain free to enter, includes several historic buildings: the Grade II listed Oakley’s Mill, the Grade I listed medieval Wool Hall, the Grade I listed Scaplen’s Court and gardens, and Sir Anthony Caro’s renowned Sea Music sculpture on the quayside.
Notable exhibits at the museum include an Iron Age log boat, artefacts from 16th and 17th-century shipwrecks, Poole Pottery collections, and artworks by local artists such as Augustus John and Henry Lamb.
A new shipwreck gallery, featuring the log boat, will be housed in Wool Hall, where recent work has restored the building’s original proportions and installed new ventilation equipment under the new floor.
During the redevelopment, the museum has maintained a presence through pop-up exhibitions and outreach events at libraries and festivals, including Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the project, Ms Fitzpatrick said, “I’m passionate about broadening participation, growth, and accessibility for all, and I’m eager to help Poole Museum become an award-winning cultural centre and thriving community space for residents across the BCP area, as well as a must-visit attraction for visitors to our region.”
The revamp is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Also read: Ozzy Osbourne Stays Connected With Fans Despite Health Challenges