IPSWICH.- The transformation of Ipswich Museum is now in its final stages as the Suffolk attraction prepares to reopen its doors and welcome visitors in the early part of next year (2027). The museum closed in October 2022 for the �12million refurbishment to get underway.

During that time, the mammoth restorations to the 146-year-old, Grade II listed building have been painstaking, with eight new and upgraded galleries.

Thankfully, vital funds from National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have matched Ipswich Borough Council’s own investment, along with important contributions from the DCMS Museum Estate and Development Fund, the Clore Duffield Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, Foyle Foundation and The Friends of the Ipswich Museums, whilst a public campaign has also provided much-needed revenue.

Before renovation work commenced, the museum’s team spent months auditing its collection of over 200,000 objects. These ranged from small archaeological artefacts, such as the incredibly rare Viking Valkyrie pendant and famous Boss Hill Saxon brooch, to heavy ancient Egyptian sculptures and, of course, its iconic menagerie of taxidermied animals, plus the replica woolly mammoth, dubbed Wool-I-Am.

Whilst many of the items in the museum were removed for safe storage or conservation, some of the objects were simply too large and delicate to be moved, such as our famous giraffe that remained protected in situ throughout the project.

Ipswich Museum was first founded in 1847, with its reopening taking place as it celebrates its 180th anniversary. It moved to its present location (from the appropriately named Museum Street) to the High Street in 1881. The original purpose of the museum was both educational, acting both as a showcase for the burgeoning understanding of natural sciences and forum for scientific debate. Consequently, generations of benefactors have donated important specimens and entire collections to the museum, making it a centre for natural history, archaeology, geology and ethnography.

Since the museum closed for redevelopment, specialist teams have carried out extensive structural, conservation and refurbishment work. Integral to this has been the conservation and enhancement of the original Victorian features. Decorative tiles have been uncovered, colour schemes restored and the former huge skylight in the natural history gallery recreated using LEDs. This has reintroduced a sense of the natural light that once flooded the atmospheric and grand space, but without the corresponding harmful UV, which can damage delicate, ancient artefacts.





The next stage of the project will see the return of the incredible objects from the diverse Ipswich Museum collection into the new-look galleries. Amongst them, and returning to her original, Victorian position within the Natural History Gallery, will be ‘Rosie’ the Rhino, who will lead a ‘parade’ of animals, featuring a cast of different fauna, many of which are currently faced with extinction. They include the famous giraffe, a lion, giant anteater, red panda, red ruffed lemur and gorillas - some of the first gorilla specimens ever to be publicly seen in the UK. All these, along with the balcony displays, also include several specimens of extinct species including huia and moa birds from New Zealand.

Elsewhere, more of the old favourites will be returning but telling more fascinating stories, some of which are the result of new, cutting-edge research.

On a journey back through time, visitors will also come face to face, or indeed tusk, with giants of the Ice Age, including the iconic woolly mammoth model, along with a very rare, almost complete woolly rhinoceros’ skull that was discovered at Weybread in Suffolk.

Although its name suggests that it was a continuous, long period of extreme cold, the Ice Age was, in fact, interrupted by warmer periods called interglacials. The one that occurred 125,000 years ago was named after the Museum’s hometown, hence the Ipswichian era. The Ice Age display also includes evidence that an early species of hippo once wallowed lazily in the ancient rivers and lakes of Suffolk.

To give an extra sense of wonder to the display, the skeleton of a rare type of steppe mammoth discovered in Maidenhall has, for the first time, been assembled in a reconstructed dig as it may have looked when discovered in 1975.

The Ice Age section will also feature some of the earliest evidence of humans in Britain, including people living in Suffolk around 600,000 years ago.

Other archaeological treasures will include one the largest gold coin hoards ever found in Britain – the Wickham Market Hoard – and will cumulatively tell the story of Ipswich and Suffolk from prehistory to the modern day.

The museum will showcase other incredible new discoveries, such as never-before displayed intricate Anglo-Saxon jewellery found from the nationally significant, royal site of Rendlesham, which will join material from the world-famous Sutton Hoo site, excavated by former Ipswich Museum archaeologist, Basil Brown (1888-1977) immortalised by Ralph Fiennes in the 2021 Netflix film, The Dig.

When it reopens in 2027, it is anticipated that the transformed museum will attract annual audiences more than 75,000 people, further building on the legacy and appeal of the collection prior to its closure.

Among its many fans, the museum can boast several famous names. One of them is the famous Cambridge Classics scholar and ‘National Treasure’, Professor Mary Beard, who recalled: "We had a mind-blowing family visit to the museum more than thirty years ago... none of us, grown-ups or kids, have ever forgotten the giraffe and his amazing story. Totally memorable!"

When she returns, her experience is sure to be even better, as Dr Frank Hargrave, Head of Museums observes: “Ipswich Museum has always been celebrated for its rare and authentic Victorian atmosphere, and this has been conserved and enhanced through this project. Less well known is the extent and significance of its incredible collections that have been developed and researched over a period of 180 years. From ancient Egyptian stelae and fabulous Anglo-Saxon jewellery to family favourites like Rosie the Rhino in the renowned natural history gallery, the new displays will bring all of their stories to life."

Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Museums, said: “When Ipswich Museum reopens, it will mark an exciting new chapter for one of the town’s best-loved historic and cultural landmarks. Ipswich Borough Council is proud to have made this major investment alongside our generous funding partners, preserving the museum’s distinctive Victorian character and at the same time making it a more accessible, welcoming and engaging place for everyone.”