Multi-million pound Museum development for Capital City
20 October 2006
The Museum of London has been given the green light for its ambitious Capital City development to start work on site next spring.
This is the biggest investment in the Museum’s thirty year history and will see improved access to its collections open in 2009.
With confirmation of grants totalling £11.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and substantial private and corporate donations the Museum has now raised £17 million of its £18 million target.
In a novel approach to fundraising, the Museum is working with businesses across the city to mark significant years in their history in the new galleries. Amongst those who have already ‘bought’ a year of London’s history for £5000 each in support of the scheme are Ashurst, the City law firm, to remember 1822 the year William Henry Ashurst, lawyer, radical and anti-slavery campaigner founded the firm; the Royal Mail for 1840 – the year of the Penny Black; Lloyds of London for 1688 and John Lewis Partnership for 1864 – their foundation years.
The next phase of this appeal will see the Museum release’ the years of the twentieth century for sale from 16 November. These years are expected to be popular with both companies and individuals wanting to commemorate milestones within their lifetimes while lending much-needed financial support to the Museum’s scheme.
The Capital City development will tell the tale of London over the last 300 years and will reflect the vibrant and unflagging energy of London as a multicultural community.
As one of the world’s largest urban history museums the new displays will tell the stories of Londoners both rich and poor – those born here, working here, who have moved here – all whom think of London as their city. It will house more objects than ever, from the dazzling Lord Mayor’s Coach to Suffragette banners, Nelson’s jewel-encrusted sword to an Oswald Boateng 2004 suit.
The £18 million plan will completely transform the Museum’s lower floor galleries, with new displays around the Sackler Hall offering a fresh approach to engaging visitors with the stories of the city. The scheme will also see the development of a new Clore Learning Centre, providing flexible and inspiring spaces for learners of all ages, including an e-learning suite, object handling areas and a state-of-the-art theatre.
Professor Jack Lohman, the Museum’s director says: ‘It is tremendously exciting that HLF has supported our Capital City project so generously. The scheme is about Londoners’ stories and displaying more of our collections and will see this museum take a lead in promoting empathy and understanding between Londoners of different generations and cultural backgrounds. Visitors have repeatedly told us they want to contribute to London’s story and this will give them just that opportunity.’
Carole Souter, Director of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "The Museum of London's plans are extremely imaginative and will help breath new life into its existing buildings, for example through the street-level glass frontage which will draw-in passers-by. I'm particularly pleased that the Museum's new look will be ready well in time for the opening of the Olympic Games in 2012."