Hereford's Museum Resource and Learning Centre Officially Opens
The second phase to convert a former BT repeater station into a state-of-the-art museum resource centre has just been completed.
Staff members from the Council’s Heritage Services have been busy moving some of the 100,000 items, which had been dispersed to several storage locations in the city, back to the new centre in Hereford’s Friar Street.
The Grand Opening will commence at 12.30 on 28th February and will see the Friar Street facility officially opened by Cllr Roger Philips, Leader of Herefordshire Council and the Earl of Darnley, President of the Friends of Herefordshire Museums and the Arts.
It will be possible to inspect the facility and a light lunch will be provided.
The result of years of planning and the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund the county can now boast a state of the art museum resource centre, where the collections of the people of Herefordshire are kept in an ideal climate-controlled environment.
Kate Andrew, Principal Heritage Officer, said: “The completion of Phase Two of our development is truly something to celebrate.
“Few museum services of our size can claim such a superb resource.
“Until now the impressive variety of objects in the collection have been dispersed around the county in less than perfect conditions.”
The newly refurbished, former BT Repeater Station site has united the collection held in trust for the county by the museum service for the first time and ensures its wellbeing and conservation.
Judith Stevenson, Collections and Access Officer, said: “We are able to offer the best ever access to the collection to date.
“The public is now able to make appointments to visit the collection and there will be some open days throughout the year when we will be open to the public.
“The research room is already being used on a regular basis and groups have already begun to visit again.
“Volunteers are also back at work and it’s wonderful to have the building full of activity and to see people enjoying the collections.”
The Museum Resource and Learning Centre has been generously funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Herefordshire Council.
For further details contact: Heritage Services,
Hereford Museum & Art Gallery, Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AU
Tel: 01432 260 692; Fax: 01432 342 492; Email: herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk
