A museum has seen its hard work pay off as visitor numbers have more than doubled following a £1.3m facelift.

 
Bridport Museum has welcomed more than 5,000 history lovers through its doors since it reopened in May after a redevelopment funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). 


The South Street museum closed earlier this year for the revamp to take place and reopened with new interactive exhibits, including an Ackerman netting loom which has been restored to full working glory and a working rope walk. The building has a new lift and gift shop. 


Funding for the five year project was secured from the HLF, as well as grants from other bodies including Bridport Town Council and West Dorset District Council. Money for the project was also raised through a successful crowdfunding appeal.


The new-look museum will remain open all year and will continue to offer free entry for residents and visitors.
There are now more activities on offer than ever before, and this summer children can get stuck in to a range of free trails. 


Curator Emily Hicks said: “It has been really exciting to watch families explore the museum and we are delighted that there is lots to keep everyone entertained this summer- there are new outfits to dress up in and if there is a draw, you can open it. 


“There are lots of extra things to discover the harder you look. Tonnes can be touched, from football netting to ammonites 


“Drop in for 10 minutes or stay for two hours and enjoy the new space - we would love to see you.”


A new events programme has just been launched at the museum, with ‘Crafty Crawlers’ - a drop-in session for pre-school children on Tuesday mornings from 10am, a new ‘Saturdads’ session once a month, regular craft demonstrations and guided history walks on Tuesdays and Thursday throughout the summer. 


For more information go to bridportmuseum.co.uk