A new museum dedicated to the history of Cardiff will officially open in the city this week. The public will be able to view The Cardiff Story Museum from Friday April 1.
Told through a number of themes The Cardiff Story will show how much the city has changed over the last 200 years. The Museum focuses on telling Cardiff’s history through the eyes of those who made it – its people.
The new Museum will provide both an introduction to the city for visitors and a community resource for residents. The Museum will be open seven days a week and entry will be free.
The Museum’s collection is made up of over 3,000 objects, the vast majority of which has been donated by the Cardiff public. Items on display in the museum range from a cutlass used by the Bute Docks police in the late 19th Century to a jukebox from Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiffians danced to 100 years later. The Cardiff Story also worked in partnership with the National Museum of Wales to allow Cardiffians access to over 8000 Cardiff related objects in their collection. Many of these are on display in the Cardiff in Context gallery.
The new Museum is located on the site of the iconic Victorian Grade II* listed Old Library. The Museum includes a permanent introductory gallery (Cardiff in Context), a fully interactive lifelong learning suite (City Lab), state of the art classrooms, a community showcase gallery and access to the Grade II* Listed historic tiled corridor.
The Museum’s phase 1 development has been completed with funding from Cardiff Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Engelhardt family’s Moondance Foundation, the Welsh Assembly Government via Museums, Libraries and Archives (CyMAL) and the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries Wales with kind contributions from donors to the Big Give public appeal as well as various community groups across the city.
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman, said: “Along with investing in the future of the city, it is important that we continue to invest in its heritage. The Cardiff Story reflects our commitment to making sure the rich history of Cardiff is remembered and future generations are given the opportunity to learn more about their heritage.
“The Museum not only provides a vital learning resource for residents and schools but will also be a valued tourist attraction based in the heart of the city.”
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Heritage, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “The Cardiff Story will provide for the first time a dedicated museum telling the story of Cardiff. As a cosmopolitan and diverse city it’s important that we capture the past, present and future of the capital. I am positive that the new Museum will be a big hit with both Cardiffians and tourists.”
Dan Clayton Jones, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, which awarded £440,000 to the project, said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund is very proud to be supporting this project, which brings to life the story of the people who helped make the city what it is today. The communities and local people that have shared their tales, memories and experiences with the Museum are at the centre of this project. Their involvement has helped to bring together the city’s rich history, to share with visitors and residents for years to come.”
Museum Manager, Dr. Kathleen Howe, said: ““It’s been a unique opportunity to start a city museum and collection from scratch – a mammoth but very enjoyable task! I know that The Cardiff Story team has found it a real privilege to work with the community groups, individuals and organisations across the city and county, to gather objects, information and stories that will represent Cardiff’s long history for generations to come.”
“Achieving the completion of our brand new Museum is testimony to the goodwill and enthusiasm of the people of Cardiff. We have been humbled by the willingness to share family stories, precious keepsakes and the fact that many have also contributed financially to achieving their museum.”
“The Museum’s opening to the public in April is only the start of its life. We’re all excited about continuing to work with the communities of Cardiff to make sure their Museum is relevant and distinctive.”
