After closing in September 2019 to begin a £2.2m National Lottery Heritage Fund redevelopment, Ely Museum was delighted to open its doors again in May.
From a new extension to house our ‘Aedwen Room’, a dedicated education and community space, to brand new light & airy galleries, filled with interactive exhibitions throughout, the Old Gaol has been completely transformed to an exciting, engaging place for children and adults alike to enjoy!
Ely Museum tells the stories of the people and the landscape of Ely and the surrounding area from prehistory to the present day. The new exhibitions explore how people have lived her over centuries and how their way of life has been influenced by the unusual landscape across the fens. The museum also highlights the many ways in which people have changed and adapted the landscape to suit their needs.
Downstairs, the galleries explore the early history of the area from the earliest fossils to the medieval period. Upstairs, the galleries tell the story of more recent centuries after the fenland marshes were drained to make fertile farmland and the associated industries, such as brewing, which came about. On your visit, don’t forget to explore our new temporary exhibition gallery, currently displaying ‘Planning, Packing…and a Pandemic!” and a visit to ‘The Hub’, our research centre.
Fun museum trails for all ages & lots of interactive exhibits and activities to try, means there is lots for children to explore this summer at the museum! Keep an eye on our website & social media pages for the latest event information!
The museum has been delighted by the response from visitors so far & we can’t wait to share the museum with more people over the summer and beyond.
Find out more, including opening times & admissions via our website at: www.elymuseum.org.uk
photos: Ely Museum