More progress for Wrexham's new Museum of Two Halves - Wrexham Council News
The initiative to establish a new 'Museum of Two Halves' in the center of Wrexham is now progressing nicely!
Construction has officially started on the historic County Buildings in the heart of Wrexham, which is a Grade II listed structure that has stood for 167 years. This building has housed the Wrexham Museum since 1996.
When the building opens its doors to the public again in 2026, it will feature an upgraded and larger Wrexham Museum, along with Wales' first football museum.
Thanks to its brand-new, cutting-edge galleries and a completely renovated and expanded facility, the museum is poised to become a top-tier national destination in Wrexham, attracting thousands of visitors from across Wales and even farther!
In addition to the ongoing construction, there's been a lot going on behind the scenes! We also have some thrilling updates about how you can still enjoy the museum's services even while the building is closed!
Here’s the key information you should be aware of…
A Stunning Site To Experience!
In July, the selected contractor, SWG Construction, assumed control of the museum buildings and the surrounding area.
The first phase of the project involved removing the recent changes that had been made to the building. This was necessary to make way for the new atrium and gallery areas on the ground and first floors.
For those who know the museum's structure well, the most significant alterations involve taking off the roof that covered the old main gallery to restore the original inner courtyard. Additionally, the glass addition at the front has been carefully taken apart to enable renovations on the building's front exterior.
The large crane on St Mark’s Road has played a key role in these projects, but its job is just getting started!
In addition to creating an amazing new museum, this initiative is also a significant conservation effort aimed at restoring one of Wrexham's most iconic buildings to its original beauty.
Wrexham Council’s museum team is working together with Haley Sharpe Design, the museum design firm, and the architecture company Purcell to develop the museum.
The new museum is receiving financial aid from Wrexham Council, the Welsh Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Wolfson Foundation. Additionally, the Museum of Two Halves project has been awarded £1.3 million from the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
You might have come across the exciting announcement we got in August: the Museum of Two Halves project is being awarded a grant of £2.7 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund!
The grant will support the installation of exhibits in the museum that visitors will interact with, and will also enable the organization of various activities, events, and programs over the next four years throughout Wrexham County Borough and other parts of Wales.
The funding has allowed the museum to proceed with acquiring an important collection of Welsh football memorabilia that was previously in private hands. This collection features an unmatched assortment of items connected to Cardiff City’s victory in the FA Cup final of 1927, as well as an extensive range of match programs from Wales men’s international games, with the oldest one dating back to 1901.
The museum has established a temporary location in Queen’s Square, right in the heart of Wrexham city!
You’re welcome to check out the temporary museum display to see the newest design concepts for the Museum of Two Halves and to get in touch with the museum staff. We’ll also be organizing activities for kids during the school breaks and various public events.
The museum shop is located in this area, offering a variety of special gifts, books, cards, and other items, all reflecting the local history of Wrexham.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Our beloved Courtyard Café has officially moved into its temporary location in the food court at Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham’s renowned hub for markets, arts, and community activities, which has received multiple awards.
You'll be pleased to know that they continue to offer the same tasty selection of homemade light meals, coffee, sandwiches, soups, cakes, and tempting desserts.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Local Archives And Historical Studies
Wrexham Archives & Local Studies has a new, permanent location at Wrexham Library. You can reach them via email at [email protected].
"Strong Demand For Wrexham's New Museum"
Councillor Paul Roberts, Wrexham Council’s main representative for Partnerships, stated: “Excitement is starting to grow around this project now that building has commenced, and the magnitude of the exciting plans for the new museum is becoming clearer.”
The football museum's booth at the recent National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd drew a huge crowd, attracting thousands of visitors from across the nation who came to learn more about the project. This strong interest highlights the significant desire for Wales to establish its own football museum.
"The upgraded Wrexham Museum will feature modern galleries that will showcase the history of our city and the county borough, especially as worldwide interest in Wrexham continues to grow."
The new museum is scheduled to launch in 2026. While we wait, I invite all visitors to the city center to check out the temporary museum at Queen’s Square. There, you can see some wonderfully illustrated designs for the new museum and learn more about this exciting project for Wrexham.
Stay Connected With Us Online!
You can connect with Wrexham Museum and the Football Museum Wales through their social media platforms.
We frequently share a variety of delicious content drawn from the vibrant history of Wrexham and Welsh football. This includes photographs, tales, and curated pieces from the museum's collections.
Check out the museum's website for additional details about the project.
