The Museum of Making will officially open its doors to the public on Saturday 19th September 2020, it has been announced.
The Museum, part-funded by £3.7 million from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation, has been designed to inspire those who visit with new creativity while showcasing Derby’s 300-year history of making and celebrating the area’s rich history of innovation.
The Museum is located in the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands on the site of the world’s first factory, the Derby Silk Mill.
Designed and made by the people and industries of Derby, the Museum of Making is truly unique and will be a must-visit destination for those in the East Midlands and beyond, bringing further economic stimulus to the region.
The Museum of Making
To enter the Museum, visitors will walk through the iconic 18th century Bakewell Gates (part of the original structure of the Silk Mill) to be greeted by an impressive Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine which will hang above visitors from the ceiling in the Civic Hall.
This engine has already been winched into place as due to its size, and the impressive Civic Hall, a triple-height glass atrium that forms the entrance to the new Museum is being constructed around it.
Visitors will have full access to the 50,000 objects in the Museum’s collections, which will showcase a range of items from Derby’s Palaeolithic past and its rich industrial history to the modern-day.
Tony Butler, Executive Director, Derby Museums says: “So far, over 1000 people have been involved in making the new Museum of Making, ensuring that the Silk Mill – a site of global significance – will be protected and enhanced for future generations to enjoy.”
With exhibits, workshops, regular activities and events, there will be something for everyone in this Grade II listed building, which, for the first time will be fully accessible to all. With less than one year to go, we can’t wait to share the new Museum of Making with those living locally, and further afield, next September.”
Anne Jenkins, Director of England, Midlands & East, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says: “2020 is set to be a very exciting year as we welcome the Museum of Making’s opening, and it is sure to be a must-see destination for many National Lottery players who have raised the money to make this important project possible.”
“It’s been wonderful to see the Museum take shape within the significant heritage setting of the Silk Mill – it’s the perfect home to showcase the spirit of innovation that Derby is famed through the Museum’s remarkable collection.”
D2N2 Involvement
D2N2 part-funded the Museum of Making as part of its remit to improve the economy of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.
Using a mix of Government and European funding, D2N2 funds projects across the region to add jobs to the economy, improve housing stock, and increase the number of learners region-wide.
Now valued at over £3 billion to the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire economy and employing almost 52,000 people, the visitor sector is a key driver of economic growth for D2N2.
Once open, the Museum of Making will bring around 140,000 visitors to the area per year and add over £4 million to the local economy.
