The entrance to Pitt Rivers Museum has been given a new look by the redevelopment. Picture © Pitt Rivers Museum
Pitt Rivers, that nirvana of universal oddities founded by the General it takes its name from at the University of Oxford 125 years ago, was about as far as could conceivably be imagined from needing a total overhaul when it closed ten months ago.
Sorely missed during the enforced spruce up, it reopened on May 1 2009 following a £1.5 million development, restoring the dramatic "entrance panorama" of the building with a welcoming platform, improved access, an environmental control system and a suitably celebratory first weekend for fans to get to grips with.
Wooden "scare figure" with a human face and a turtle-like shell on its back from Nankauri, Nicobar Islands, India. Collected by J H Hutton in 1930 and donated by his son to Pitt Rivers in 1983. Picture © Pitt Rivers Museum
"The restoration of the Museum's original entrance makes a wonderful museum even better," announced the Museum's enthusiastic and quick-witted Director, Michael O'Hanlon, saluting the support of "many generous trusts and individuals" and "exceptional efforts" by the legion of knowledgeable and highly-approachable staff Pitt Rivers is renowned for.
An environmental control system has been implemented in the new-look Museum. Picture © Pitt Rivers Museum
The obvious intrigue is the effect the change has had on the endless eye-popping artefacts on site. The old 1960s exhibition gallery has been dismantled, its display cases moved to the front of the Museum to increase the number of items featured on the ground floor.
Board depicting a human face surrounded by hornbill birds from the Middle Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. Collected by Richard Lornie in the 1960s and donated in 1981. Picture © Pitt Rivers Museum
Salama, an East African sailing boat, hangs dramatically from the rafters, and more than 5,000 objects which made way for the builders have been checked and returned.
The Balcony on the Lower Gallery is now dedicated to learning, with displays for all ages and space for family activities, and eight additional cases focus on painting and decorative styles, holding previously unseen gems from the reserve collections.
The best news, though, is that most of the Pitt Rivers Museum remains the same. A totem pole from the North West coast of Canada affronts the doorway, hands-on activities return with the relaunch of Pitt Stop on May 2 2009 and the Friends of the Museum will be as determined as ever to cause chaos and merriment with their Favourite Things tours.
Woodcut print entitled Hungry Bear by Coast Salish artist Jody Wilson, depicting a grizzly bear in the act of catching a salmon. Purchased in 1994. Picture © Pitt Rivers Museum
Activity backpacks, sorting boxes, trails, activity sheets, a story corner and craft activities feature in drop-in sessions every Sunday (2pm – 4pm), and a trio of opening exhibitions comprise photographs and manuscripts from 19th century Russia (May 1 – September 6), pictures of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (May 14 – November 15) and a contemporary "Cabinet of Curiosities" (June 12 – October 4.)
The Heritage Lottery Fund provided two-thirds of the funding, and South East Head Michelle Davies said the HLF was proud to have weighed in. "Pitt Rivers is hugely popular, with a treasure trove of collections," she added.
"The redevelopment works have transformed the experience for visitors and ensured the museum's popularity with generations to come."
Visit Pitt Rivers online for full details of all events.
Visit Culture24 in the next few weeks for more pictures and reaction from the reopening.
The entire holdings of the Pitt Rivers Museum is a Designated collection.
