|
|
 |
Worcester City Council has been awarded £985,000 by the
Heritage Lottery Fund to conduct a complete refurbishment
of the building, displays and garden area. The total project
will see £1,363,797 being spent on the site, the remaining £378,297
being provided by external grant giving bodies and by Worcester
City Council itself. Work on site will start during the Spring
of 2005, with the new displays and facilities scheduled to
open to the public in 2006/2007. |
|
|
Over the coming months progress with the various
works will be reported on this web site, while a special display
of the new plans will be on show at the Commandery.
The following is a summary of the key elements of the project.
|
|
Background - The City Council purchased the Commandery
in 1973 after the previous occupants, Littlebury's printers,
ceased trading. A process of restoration was immediately begun
before opening the Commandery as a museum on the history of
Worcester in 1976. In 1985 these displays were changed to a
Civil War focus. |
 |
|
| This
narrow focus on the English Civil War has now reached the end of its
lifespan and is no longer viable in attracting visitors and income.
Current displays are also outdated in style and becoming dilapidated
in condition. Recognition of these factors by Worcester City Council
along with an increasing emphasis on the conservation of our historic
structures, the role of services for the community and the need for
the joint management of the Commandery and its open spaces prompted
the decision to approach the Heritage Lottery Fund. |
What the new project will include.
A new exhibition using hand held sound guides, museum collections
and interactive exhibits will tell the story of Worcester and the
Commandery at six key periods: - |
|
|
The expansion of our events programme away form the Civil War
to reflect the six new interpretation strands.
Improvements to visitor services with a full upgrade of the
toilets and re-design of shop and entrance lay outs.
More involvement by local people in events, open days and education
programmes.
Interpretation of the Civil War earthworks in Fort Royal Park. |
Restoration of the Painted Chamber which contains important
wall paintings of religious subjects from the 15th century.
The completion of a full conservation plan for the site
to be used to manage future maintenance decisions. |
 |
|
The widening of the Commandery education programme with new
interactive workshops tied to the National Curriculum in History,
Maths, Art and Design, Geography, Ecology and Biology.
Better facilities for schools with a new education centre incorporated
into the canal side wing.
An archaeological dig over two summers in the gardens of the Commandery
with opportunities for involvement by local people as volunteer
diggers. Details of a series of related events and workshops will be announced shortly
through our events and activities page.
An
oral history project to capture memories of the site as
people remember it in the 20th century.
This project is currently seeking those people who have recollections of the
site, in particular those who lived in cottages at the Commandery, who worked
at Littleburys or had some connection with the family. We are also
seeking those people who were involved in the original restoration work of
the 1970's or who remember the sweet and wool shops at the front of the site. If
you or anyone you know can help please contact us 01905 361821.
|
 |
Landscaping of the Commandery gardens to make a more
attractive setting for the building and for use by local people.
Increased protection of Fort Royal Park as an important
city centre green space.
Renewal of the historic link between the Commandery and Fort
Royal by landscaping, site interpretation and the creation
of new vista's - including the interpretation of the Civil War
earthworks in Fort Royal Park. |
|
Physical access to the site will be improved with the
two new lifts, wider doorways, ramped access and the re-laying
of the cobbled courtyard to provide smoother access and a better
appearance.
A new cleaning regime will be introduced in line with conservation
best practice. |
 |
Museum Collection stores, office spaces and other functions not
relevant to the site will be removed from the Commandery.
All security within the project site will be updated. |
|
|
Go to top of page
©
Worcester City Museums
|
