Colchester's Historic Museum Bounces Back After Tower Trouble!

After being closed for a year, Colchester's Natural History Museum has reopened to the public. The museum is located in the historic All Saints Church building, which has been home to the museum since 1958. The closure happened because some masonry, or stonework, fell from the church tower last year, raising safety concerns. Contractors were brought in to assess the damage and make the tower safe. Although repairs are still ongoing, the museum is now open with limited capacity and restricted access to certain areas, especially at the back of the Grade II listed building.

Colchester City Council is working hard to secure more funding for a major redevelopment of the museum. They have applied to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for additional support, hoping to raise a total of five million pounds for the project. Last year, the council received nearly three hundred thousand pounds from the same fund to help with detailed planning for the museum's transformation. The redevelopment aims to restore the building and improve the surrounding outdoor space, making the museum a better place for both residents and visitors. If all goes according to plan, the museum will undergo significant changes and is expected to fully reopen in 2029.

The All Saints Church building itself is a piece of history, with parts of it dating back to Norman times. The tower, which caused the closure, is still wrapped up to protect it during the winter while repairs continue. Lee Scordis, the Labour portfolio holder for culture, heritage, and environment at Colchester City Council, expressed his excitement about the museum reopening, even with limited access. He believes this is an important step in the ongoing efforts to repair and improve the building, and he looks forward to the benefits the redevelopment will bring to the community. The museum offers free admission and has a gift shop, making it an accessible and enjoyable destination for anyone interested in natural history.