Hackney Museum has just secured itself a rather sizeable grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, meaning that it will close its doors later this year to undergo a gargantuan glow-up. The east London locale opened a consultation on plans to reimagine the museum back in 2023 – and now, the funding has been secured and the wheels are officially in motion, folks.
Having been telling the stories of Hackney‘s heritage and history for almost 40 years now; the much-loved museum is set to shut up shop between late 2025 and early 2027 to give the space some well-needed TLC. The hefty grant (£2,241,216, if you want exact numbers) will help update and modernise the museum and its collections, ensuring that it’s relevant for the current generation, and can still be enjoyed for years to come.
During the closure, the museum’s permanent exhibition (which has been in place since 2002) will be redesigned and redisplayed. The new permanent exhibition will use Hackney Museum’s unique collections in an innovate new way to tell the borough’s tales. The exhibition will delve into the social and economic changes that have played a part in making the area such a sought-after place to live, and will showcase Hackney’s extensive history of community solidarity and activism.
Alongside the new permanent exhibition, other refurbishment works will include a new visitor reception and two temporary exhibition spaces being created, redevelopment of the community room, shop and teaching spaces, and the museum’s digital resources being enhanced so that more people will have access to the museum’s rich history.
The transformation will ensure that Hackney Museum continues to be a pivotal place of community, culture and creativity for locals and visitors alike. A programme packed full of exciting events and exhibitions is set to run throughout 2027 and 2028, following the museum’s relaunch.
Councillor Christopher Kennedy, Cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector and culture, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Hackney Museum will remain a space where local people can celebrate their heritage, explore their identity, and contribute to the ever-evolving story of Hackney”.
Read more about the reimagining of Hackney Museum here.