Dorset Museum reopens to visitors after a two year closure

£16m renovations have added four new galleries, a café and a shop

Published 28th May 2021
Last updated 1st Jun 2021

Dorset Museum, formerly Dorset County Museum, is reopening its doors today after a £16m revamp.

The opening date has been pushed back multiple times due to delays initially from storms, and then multiple lockdowns.

More of the museum's internationally significant collections of archaeology, social and natural history will be on display than ever before.

The building has three times the space it had before and many galleries have been reimagined to inspire.

The new museum has updated its accessibility with full wheelchair access, toilets and baby changing facilities on every level.

Dorset Museum executive director, Dr Jon Murden told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:

"It is extremely satisfying to have got to this point and be on the verge of revealing our new museum to the world.

"Despite all the challenges we have faced, the team here has never lost faith in our vision to reimagine and re-invigorate Dorset's Museum, securing its future and the future of its globally important collections for generations to come.

"We can't wait now to finally open our doors on 28th May and play our part in the recovery that Dorset is sure to experience this summer as we gradually emerge from lockdown."

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