The Geffrye Museum is reopening as the Museum of the Home in summer 2020, following an £18.1 million redevelopment. The attraction will boast more exhibition space and public space.
On Wednesday (November 27), the renamed museum announced it would reopen in the summer with a new name, vision and exhibition spaces.
“We’re delighted to share that in summer 2020, the Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum of the Home) will open following an £18.1 million redevelopment revealing fascinating new permanent displays and beautiful exhibition and event spaces,” tweeted the Museum of the Home.
Opening in 2020 with new vision and exhibition spaces
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Xu-W6HmbV/
The attraction in east London, which occupies 18th-century almshouses, closed to the public in January 2018, in order to carry out major building work.
The redevelopment, designed by Wright & Wright architects, will include new exhibition spaces in the lower ground floors of the almshouses.
The museum will also have a new entrance directly opposite Hoxton station, leading into a spacious reception with improved visitor facilities.
Museum getting new entrance opposite Hoxton station
We can’t wait to welcome you back – this week we’re sharing illustrations of the developments here at our home in the Geffrye Almshouses. The development breathes life back into our beautiful buildings and gardens, which still includes our much loved Rooms & Gardens Through Time. pic.twitter.com/dozr25YBZi
— Museum of the Home (@MuseumoftheHome) November 27, 2019
In addition, the Museum of the Home is getting a new, larger cafe, a learning pavilion, a collections library, and an events space.
Approximately 500 previously unseen objects will go on display, and the period gardens and herb garden will be available all year round.
When it reopens next year, the Museum of the Home will have 50 percent more space, as well as two floors previously unseen by guests.
Sonia Solicari, the museum’s director, told The Guardian: “Because Robert Geffrye didn’t create the museum, it was an easier decision. It’s not his collection, [and] he may or may not have liked the idea of a museum in his almshouses.
Museum of the Home will have 50 percent more space
With £600k of the total £18.1m left to raise, we invite you to join our Sow a Seed campaign to support the replanting of the Gardens Through Time by funding the planting of new bulbs, bushes and trees, which will return the gardens to their former glory https://t.co/O9oFIU1C0Q pic.twitter.com/G0aHhqjfYi
— Museum of the Home (@MuseumoftheHome) November 27, 2019
“On balance it felt that we could achieve a lot more and engage a lot more people by changing the name,” said Solicari.
Also in London, the first vagina museum in the world has opened. The Vagina Museum looks to educate visitors on the gynaecological anatomy and health.
Images: Museum of the Home