New-look Much Wenlock Museum opens for half-term
Much Wenlock Museum will be opening its doors for a full week from today, having undergone a major refurbishment.
The museum, supported and run by Shropshire Council, has been completely revamped thanks to a £520,800 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards improvements.
Admission to the museum is free, and throughout half term visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Much Wenlock’s famous resident, William Penny Brookes, the widely regarded pioneer of the modern Olympics.
Focusing on the Olympian and geological heritage of the area, the improvement project will broaden the appeal of Much Wenlock Museum to local, national and international visitors, creating new exhibitions, heritage walks and education opportunities for people of all ages.
The new-look museum, which also houses the Visitor Information Centre, will also feature installations representing other local heritage themes, including Wenlock Priory, the building’s former history as a cinema, and the inspiration that the surrounding area has provided to numerous literary and artistic figures such as AE Housman, Mary Webb, and Vaughan Williams. In addition to the exhibitions, a local history resource will be created for residents, schools and community groups.
Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for tourism and culture, Councillor Mike Owen, said:
“The opening of the newly refurbished Much Wenlock Museum is great news for the town and I would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for their generous support. This has been an extremely important project for Much Wenlock and for Shropshire, which recognises both the unique influence the town had on the development of the modern Olympic movement, and the geological heritage of the area. I wish the museum all the best for the future, and encourage residents and visitors of all ages to come along and experience the fascinating history and heritage this wonderful town has to offer.”
Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, Milner Whiteman, said:
“I am delighted that Much Wenlock Museum is reopening in time for the half-term week. It will be a very worthwhile visit for everyone who is able to visit Much Wenlock. A huge amount of work has been done to ensure the exhibits are displayed to the best advantage. The story of William Penny Brookes and the Olympian Games is something that Much Wenlock is very proud of and we look forward to welcoming many visitors to the town.”
The Much Wenlock Museum opens to visitors for half term from Monday 13 February to Saturday 18 February 10.30am – 4pm (closed 1pm – 1.30pm). In the following weeks it will be opening on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10.30am-1pm and 1.30pm and 4pm, and Saturdays from 10am-1pm.
