Kendal Museum is temporarily closing for an exhibition revamp.
The museum has this week closed to the public until Thursday November 6 to allow for the redevelopment of its gallery spaces and exhibitions.
It comes as part of ongoing changes at the museum – which was founded in 1796 and is one of the oldest museum’s in the UK – that aim to preserve its historic character and charm, while also updating it.
No building works or structural changes are taking place but two major updates to its exhibition spaces will take place.
These include the return of the Lake District National History Gallery and a new home for the people’s gallery on site.
The natural history gallery, previously on loan to Brockhole on Windermere since 2019, will return to its original home in the museum’s upstairs gallery.
It features dioramas that show the region’s diverse flora and fauna, including preserved specimens that are over a century old.
Visitors can enjoy close-up displays of golden eagles, otters, ospreys, and other iconic species, while learning about local conservation efforts and the reintroduction of native wildlife.
The people’s gallery – an art space dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists – will also get a new home as part of the redevelopment.
It will be relocated to the museum’s main entrance to give artists greater visibility and offer better accessibility as well as placing community creativity at the forefront of the museum’s visitor experience.
The museum is also entering phase two of its reimagining the world wildlife gallery, which aims to enrich how its collections are interpreted.
The new phase aims to introduce perspectives on issues such as climate change, decolonisation, biodiversity loss, animal rights, and other underrepresented themes.
A spokesman for the museum said: “These improvements reflect Kendal Museum’s ongoing commitment to preserving local heritage, celebrating regional biodiversity, and supporting the arts.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors back in November to experience these refreshed and revitalised spaces.”
Kendal Museum is operated by Kendal College on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council, which owns the museum and its collections.
The museum receives public funding from the council, and is also supported through grants, donations, and partnerships.
