National Maritime Museum Cornwall will temporarily close next January for six weeks to undertake repairs to the building’s roof.
The closure is so the museum on Discovery Quay, Falmouth can make vital repairs to the building’s roof, which has leaked for many years.
The museum will temporarily close on Monday, January 6, 2025 and reopen on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Previous attempts have been made to repair the roof, but no lasting solutions were found, and the leaks returned.
The latest fix is a more radical approach and involves the complete replacement of the roofing system and, crucially, an increase in the overall drainage by providing additional drainage outlets and weatherproofing.
The rainwater ingress has created a challenging environment for the museum, impacting its ability to care for its collection, suitably maintain the fabric of the building and deliver an enjoyable experience for its visitors.
Richard Doughty, Director of National Maritime Museum Cornwall, said: ‘There have been too many times when, throughout our building, you could find more buckets to catch the rainwater drips than boats!
"At long last it’s time to banish the buckets and create a better environment for our visitors, staff and collections.
"The significant costs of carrying out major structural repairs has, to date, prohibited us from being able to undertake these remedial works but now, thanks to a £499,000 grant from the Arts Council’s Museum Estate and Development Fund, work will begin in early 2025."
Mr Doughty continued: ‘Repairing our main roof has been a top priority for us for several years. However, the costs have remained stubbornly beyond our reach.
"As custodians of the building, and the collections within it, we are deeply grateful to have been given the help we need to address this fundamental issue.’
The museum continues to be fully operational until just after the Christmas holidays. Following its temporary closure from Monday 6 January, it will reopen on Saturday 15 February for its popular Science of the Sea February half term activities.
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