What’s in Store for Newton Abbot Museum?

In July 2024 Newton Abbot Museum was delighted to announce that they have gained support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a new year long project called What’s in Store?

The £78,952 award, made possible by players of The National Lottery, will help develop plans for a state-of-the-art museum store which will be an interactive space for members of the community to get more involved with behind-the-scenes museum activities.

The current museum store is not accessible to the public with narrow corridors nor large enough to house the museum’s collection of 17,000 objects. An extension to the museum will enable better access and for the collection to be housed in one bespoke space. Currently some artefacts are stored in offsite rental units.

Museum Curator, Charlotte Dixon, says “We desperately need more space to look after our objects and this is an opportunity for us to work with the community to design a facility that they can be involved in.

We intend for there to be regular activities in the store room itself where members of the public can come face-to-face with objects that aren’t on display in the main museum. For example, selecting objects for exhibitions, taking part in demonstrations, talks, tours and workshops, all taking place in the heart of the new store.

As well as the activities the new extension will enable us to bring the artefacts into one dedicated space where we can take the best care of them to preserve them for future generations.”

For the 12 months following the award, the museum will connect with local people to find out what they think of the building design and what they would like to get involved in when the store is up and running.

Community Engagement Officer, Kate Green, says “We need your help! Look out for all sorts of workshops both in the community and in the museum itself where you can have your say and test some activity ideas”.

At the end of the consultation year the museum will be applying for a full National Lottery grant to build and fit-out an environmentally sustainable museum store and community space.

Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “What’s in Store? will continue the positive impact of Newton Abbot Museum’s previous redevelopment project. This next phase is the final piece to create a fully accessible space where the community can come together to learn and celebrate its local heritage. We look forward to working with the project team to progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.”