Museum gets wow factor!

A £250,000 facelift aimed at giving Warrington Museum the “wow” factor has been unveiled.
The results of a refurbishment scheme, which has updated some of the building’s most historic galleries and also allowed more of the collections to go on show, were opened by the Mayor of Warrington Cllr John Joyce.
A museum spokesperson said: “The museum has long been a popular attraction within the cultural quarter but several of the galleries were in need of a facelift for the 21st Century.”
The refurbishment scheme, called Bringing the WOW Factor to Warrington Museum, was funded by the WREN Communities Challenge Fund.
During the past 18 months contractors have replaced skylights and installed new lighting to protect delicate objects, cases have been renovated and galleries decorated. Museum staff had to keep track of hundreds of objects while they have been packed and unpacked, cleaned, catalogued and installed in new displays.
The spokesperson said: “It’s been like moving house on a giant scale without losing track of the kettle!”
Two new galleries create a “Window on Warrington” telling the story of how the town has developed through the centuries and celebrating the contribution of generations of Warrington people.
New exhibits include the story of Warrington’s Charge of the Light Brigade heroes, the fascinating story of Warrington’s Titanic as well as the story of ordinary people’s daily and working lives.
And a “Window on the World” tells the story of world cultures from the significant collections which have been gathered for the people of Warrington to enjoy, and with many former exhibits now on show again. The Fish Gallery has been restored and enhanced in response to popular demand. A new Wren Gallery for contemporary art and crafts has also been created with the support of the Warrington Arts Trust. This provides a much-needed space to showcase the work of local artists.