Royal Cornwall Museum to Undergo Two-Month Renovation Closure

The Royal Cornwall Museum will close its doors for a two-month period starting in January 2025 to undertake significant transformation work, according to its management. Located in Truro, the museum announced an extension of its usual winter closure by an additional month. This extended period is intended to facilitate the modernization of its gallery spaces and balcony. During this closure, select museum items will be taken “on the road,” with a dedicated team conducting workshops throughout the county using museum artefacts. Management confirmed that the current stage of this initiative has secured £2.3m in funding from the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, which is locally overseen by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. Bryony Robins, the artistic director, stated that the museum’s closure in January and February is for an “exciting refresh ready to reopen in early spring 2025.” She added, “This planned winter closure will allow the major work to forge ahead safely and efficiently.” The museum indicated that its nature gallery is slated for redesign, a process that will involve consultation with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Furthermore, the balcony of the main atrium is set to be transformed into an art gallery, while the central area of the museum will be converted into a new Heart of Cornwall Gallery. Ms. Robins also mentioned that during the winter closure, the museum’s learning team will utilize the education library service bus to conduct ancient Egypt and Victorian toy workshops at eight libraries throughout Cornwall. Executive director Jonathan Morton commented, “We’re taking the opportunity to get out into the community as much as possible and engage diverse and geographically remote audiences with what the museum has to offer.” This comprehensive transformation project commenced with the Mineral Gallery, which reopened its doors in July.