Final preparations are being made for a grand re-opening as Bolton Museum gets ready to welcome the public to three brand new exhibitions.
A Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 9.30am to 4pm to mark the official opening of the new displays, including Bolton’s Egypt.
Drawing on the town’s longstanding association with Egyptology, the Bolton’s Egypt exhibition features a walk-through replica of the tomb of ancient pharaoh Thutmose III.
The exhibition features more than 2,000 artefacts from Bolton’s significant collection.
Visitors are invited to view the galleries and enjoy activities ranging from interactive storytelling and craft activities to keyring making and facepainting to celebrate the occasion.
The new display will be joined by Bolton’s Art, a showcase of the finest works in the museum’s collection, and Bolton’s Nature, an exploration of natural history.
The exhibition can rival anything the UK has to offer.
Bolton Council Leader and Greater Manchester Combined Authority lead for culture, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “After years of hard work, we are delighted to be able to share these remarkable exhibitions with the public.
“Bolton’s Egypt is a truly unique experience which I am sure will be enjoyed by Bolton residents and bring visitors to the town for years to come.
“Our collection of artefacts is renowned throughout the country and this refurbishment means the exhibition can rival anything the UK has to offer.
“Along with the art and nature exhibits, the new look Bolton Museum is a great day out for everyone. We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to the Family Fun Day.”
Bolton’s Egyptology collection can be traced back to Annie Barlow, the daughter of a local mill owner. Her father, James, who lived in Edgworth, founded one of the most success mill companies, Barlow and Jones, which imported Egyptian cotton.
Annie became interested in Ancient Egypt and began to support Egypt Exploration Society. She went on to do excavation work and gifted her share of the finds to the museum.
The £3.8 million museum refurbishment began in December 2016 and has been funded by one off capital funding, a donation from Eddie Davies and a grant from the Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.