Progress Update: conservation and renovation as construction work starts

Following the appointment of Ipswich-based award-winning contractors Gipping Construction to carry out base-build construction earlier this year, work has commenced at Ipswich Museum on this important phase. The exciting project will cast a spotlight on one of our town’s most loved attractions. Ipswich Museum is well-known for its Victorian charm and many Grade II* listed features. To ensure our beautiful Museum can be enjoyed by visitors for years to come, essential repairs to structural components are being carefully carried out to preserve the history of the building.

The first priority when works began was to protect important historical features which could not be removed because of their large size. This includes the main staircase, balustrading and glazed cabinets around the first floor balcony above the main gallery. The whale skull which previously overlooked the geology gallery has also been left in place and surrounded by scaffolding to keep it safe during the works. Other items which have been protected include the Bass Rock display, giraffe, dinosaur footprints and the ichthyosaurus skeleton.

Birdcage scaffolding has been installed in the main hall, including a temporary wall to protect the large exhibits. The scaffolding will allow for works to the approximately 10m high ceiling and internal roof truss timbers.

As well as working on the ceiling and roof above, the team are also making progress with plans underfoot. Internally raising differing floor levels so that the galleries on each floor are all to one level will improve ease of passage around the Museum and make the space more accessible.

Work is also taking place to assess the flow between galleries. Old stud walls have been stripped and surveys have been done for temporary propping ahead of openings being made in some internal walls in order to create large open walkways for visitors.

If you pass Ipswich Museum, you will also notice scaffolding being erected around the outside of the Museum. This is to allow crucial external carpentry and masonry works, as well as cleaning which will rejuvenate the Museum’s magnificent exterior. The wider parts of the scaffold on the North & South elevations will provide support for a temporary roof over the entire building to provide protection from the elements – something which is especially important considering the unpredictability of British weather.

An 8m x 6m banner featuring the Museum’s most famous exhibit and acknowledging the generosity of the funders to facilitate the #mammothmakeover by Gipping Construction, has been installed on the town-facing side of the Museum.

You can join in the #mammothmakeover with our Mammoth Art Competition! Your artwork could be used to brighten up the scaffolding outside the Museum during the refurbishment. Create an A4 drawing of our much-loved exhibits, Wool-I-Am or Rosie the rhino. Our favourite from each age group (with groups from under-5s to adults) will have their artwork displayed on the scaffolding outside the Museum and win a plush woolly mammoth. Submit your entry by Sunday 3^rd November. For full details on how to enter, visit https://loom.ly/Sc3dj4Q

As the project progresses, we will continue to share regular updates and insights into how this beautiful building is being restored and rejuvenated.

The Ipswich Museum redevelopment project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Clore Duffield Foundation, Foyle Foundation,  Garfield Weston Foundation, Lord Belstead Trust, Wolfson Foundation, and The Friends of the Ipswich Museums, alongside Ipswich Borough Council.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in the strategic plan, Heritage 2033.

Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.

The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  www.heritagefund.org.uk