Wool-I-Am the Mammoth, a familiar and much-loved feature of Ipswich Museum for generations of visitors, is currently being kept safely under wraps inside the building while it's closed for major refurbishment work.
Outside, on the exterior scaffolding, the construction contractors have unveiled a huge banner on the town-facing side of the site with an image of this famous exhibit.
A sure sign of the biggest 'refresh' ever to happen in the Museum’s 140-year history.
The 8m by 6m ‘Mammoth Makeover’ banner acknowledges the collaboration and generosity of the funders who have joined Ipswich Borough Council to facilitate the re-development by Ipswich-based award-winning Gipping Construction. The contractors began the important phase of base-build construction in May, after extensive works had first been carried out for stabilising the building and getting scaffolding in place internally and externally so the wider project could get underway. Works have been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, through a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Improvements to the ‘shell and core’ of the Museum now in progress include main structural components such as the walls, floors and façade, as well as installation of new mechanical and supply systems for environmentally-efficient heating, insulation and lighting.
The priority when works began inside the building was to protect important historical features which could not be removed because of their large size. This includes the main staircase, balustrading and glazed cabinets around the first-floor balcony above the main gallery. Items which have been protected in addition to Wool-I-Am include the giraffe, Bass Rock display, dinosaur footprints and the ichthyosaurus skeleton. The whale skull which previously overlooked the geology gallery has also been left in place and surrounded by scaffolding to keep it safe during the works.
Birdcage scaffolding has been installed in the main hall, including a temporary wall to protect the large exhibits. The scaffolding will allow for works to the approximately 10m high ceiling and internal roof truss timbers.
As well as working on the ceiling and roof above, the team are making progress with plans underfoot. Internally, floors are being raised in the lower and upper galleries so that they are on one level to improve ease of passage around the Museum and make the space more accessible for visitors.
Work is also taking place to assess the flow between galleries. Old stud walls have been stripped and surveys have been done for temporary propping, ahead of openings being made in some internal walls to create large open walkways for visitors.
The extensive scaffolding erected around the outside of the Museum is to allow crucial external carpentry and masonry works, as well as cleaning which will rejuvenate the magnificent late Victorian exterior. The wider parts of the scaffold on the North and South elevations currently support a temporary roof over the entire building to provide protection from the elements.
Councillor Carole Jones, Ipswich Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Museums, says:
“To ensure our treasured Museum can be enjoyed by visitors for years to come, essential repairs to structural components are being carefully carried out to preserve the incredible history of the building and its many Grade II* listed features.
“We’re delighted with the progress being made, and how carefully this beautiful building is being restored and rejuvenated inside and out. It’s an exciting and ambitious project which is truly once in a generation, not only to bring back former glory but to achieve transformations that will keep the Museum as one of our town’s most loved attractions for many years to come.”
The Ipswich Museum redevelopment project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Clore Duffield Foundation, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Lord Belstead Trust, Wolfson Foundation, and The Friends of the Ipswich Museums, alongside Ipswich Borough Council.
