The results are in! What The Ipswich Heritage Forum thinks of the Museum Makeover so far.

The doors to Ipswich Museum have been closed for a while now—but behind the scenes, exciting things are happening! As part of the big redevelopment project, we recently invited members of the Ipswich Heritage Forum, to take a special tour of the museum-in-progress and see what’s changing.

From exploring the revamped spaces to imagining the new galleries, the members of the Ipswich Heritage Forum, got a taste of what’s to come—and they shared some fantastic feedback, “It’s incredibly exciting and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

The redevelopment aims to restore the iconic museum building, add brand-new visitorfacilities, completely redisplay the galleries, and bring in a lively mix of events and activities that will help more people across Ipswich connect with the museum and its amazing collections.

Let’s take a look at what our visitors had to say—and what’s next for Ipswich Museum!

 As our guests first walked into the doors, many remarked on how spacious and full of natural light the building now feels. It was said that you can now see how “beautiful the bare bones of the building are”, highlighting the museum’s architectural beauty.

“WOW! I couldn’t believe the space and how open the galleries had become, but it still held the same familiar comfort of the museum I know and love.”

The reimagined ground floor layout of the museum has also become more accessible, allowing new facilities to be put in place. Many of the members said they are most looking forward to seeing the new café and the new courtyard space, as well as more room for exciting exhibitions and the much-loved current ones too!

Many members also shared how much they had missed the museum, for some, it had been a regular part of their routine— “I’ve just missed it being there! There’s been lots of time I would have loved to pop in for a wander.”

Many also said they have missed being able to take their grandchildren and show the new generation the beautiful history the museum holds, a building that tells the stories of Ipswich and its communities, past and present. Being inside again, even with scaffolding still up and galleries in mid-renovation, sparked nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for the role the museum plays for tourism in Ipswich, and for residents.

The Museum’s much-loved collections have been highly missed too, including the iconic Woolly Mammoth and the Egyptian gallery.

We asked the members of the Ipswich Heritage Forum what they would say to those who haven’t seen inside the re-development of the Ipswich Museum and it’s safe to say they remain positive towards the re-opening of the building. Long-time supporters will be pleased to know that while the soul of the museum remains, the new space will offer enhanced exhibitions, improved accessibility, and thoughtfully curated design choices (including some truly beautiful paint colours).

“Wait until you see the new space! And nice paint colours”

 The Museum renovation project is more than just a facelift, and those who are a part of the Ipswich and surrounding communities should “Expect big changes!” The redeveloped Ipswich Museum is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. Whether you’re passionate about natural history, fascinated by archaeology, or simply love a great day out with the family, the new Ipswich Museum experience is designed to inspire curiosity and engagement for all ages.

The re-development of the iconic Ipswich Museum is set to be one of the most exciting cultural events in Suffolk’s calendar. We can’t wait to open our doors and show you a whole new world of fascinating exhibitions, vibrant events and create an incredible community across Ipswich.