News: MOL returns!
The much-awaited new-look Museum of Lancashire (MOL) will be unveiled on Saturday 26 November.
At 10:30am the doors will open on the £1.7m transformation of the museum on Stanley Street, Preston, where a fantastic new range of family-friendly, interactive galleries will offer a taste of all things Lancashire.
Visitors of all ages will find a rich history of the Red Rose County ready and waiting to be discovered - and all revealed through the objects and stories of real Lancashire people. Entry is free.
County Councillor Mike Calvert, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "This is the moment we've all been waiting for, and staff have been working very hard to make sure everything is in place for the big day.
"With a bright new entrance area and eight new galleries, there's lots to see and do.
"Everything from Iron Age jewellery and Roman coins to a weaving loom and a Edwardian coal-fired fish fryer - it's all here.
"You can try your hand at being an archaeologist, take part in a dig and piece together a Roman pot, as well as relive the days of the traditional seaside holiday. You can even dress up as Eric Morecambe.
"And if you think Lancashire is all about pigeon-keeping and flat caps, our People Gallery will tell you the real story of our diverse local communities, past and present.
"We've also breathed new life into some our existing popular attractions.
"For example, our all-new 'Lancashire Goes to War' gallery now has a long trench snaking through it complete with fire steps, gas attack alarms and an authentic West Spring Gun on loan from the Imperial War Museum.
"At the heart of the museum there's a contemporary new café where visitors can enjoy a locally-sourced snack in spacious surroundings. And for a unique souvenir of your visit, there are plenty of gifts to choose from in our museum shop.
"Even the outside stonework has now shrugged off the grime of the past 180 years.
"The refurbishment of the museum is a major project, and while we've put more than £800,000 towards the costs, we couldn't have funded it on our own.
"We are very grateful for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of nearly £920,000, together with generous support from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Infantry Museum, the Friends of the Museum of Lancashire and the Fusiliers Museum Trust.
"I'd also like to congratulate Conlon Construction Ltd. They've done a wonderful job, together with more than 20 specialist subcontractors.
"With the MOL reopening in time for Lancashire Day on Sunday 27 November, we're all set for a fantastic weekend."
As well as having a great time, visitors to the MOL will come away with a fresh view of this historic county and its people. They will also be able to surprise their friends and family with more than a few fascinating Lancashire facts.
For example, did you know:
*Sir Richard Owen, the scientist who invented the word 'dinosaur', was from Lancaster;
*Butch Cassidy's father, Maximillian Parker, was born in Burnley in 1820;
*Wallace Hartley, the band leader on the Titanic, was from Colne;
*Buffalo Bill visited Lancashire in 1887;
*Coketown, the mill town in Charles Dickens' novel 'Hard Times', is partly based on Preston?
So whether you are Lancashire born and bred or visiting the county for the first time, go along to the MOL and discover 2000 years of local history. There's something for everyone.
If you visit us at MOL this weekend please share your photos in our 'Mol returns' Flickr group or share your experiences on Twitter and use #MoLReturns in your reply!