Manchester Museum is to reopen to the public on 18 February 2023 following its most ambitious transformation in a generation.

On 19 January, the museum held the first in a series of celebration events to highlight Manchester Museum’s role in the cultural, educational, social, and civic life of our city-region, and the difference its seeking to make to our communities, schools, third sector organisations, existing and potential partners. Attendees included some University colleagues, community sector organisations, councillors, MPs, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority officials, NHS, and Greater Manchester Police representatives.  There were speeches (Cllr Rahman, James Daly MP and Nalin Thakker) before musician and South Asia gallery Collective member Aziz Ibrahim and Kathak dancer Kanchan Maradan gave a spellbinding performance. Guests were also given a sneak peek at Golden Mummies of Egypt.

The public will be invited to new galleries including the South Asia Gallery, a British Museum partnership and the UK’s first permanent space to explore the lived experience of South Asian diaspora communities. There will also be a new Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, the Belonging Gallery, a brand new Dinosaur display and Golden Mummies of Egypt, its first blockbuster exhibition opening in the new Exhibition Hall.  Other new features include a Changing Places toilet, prayer room, quiet room, picnic area and therapy room. 

The museum first opened in 1890 and is recognised as one of the largest university museums in the UK. The original neo-Gothic building, designed by renowned architect Alfred Waterhouse (1830–1905), is home to around 4.5 million objects from natural sciences and human cultures. Proud to be the world’s first Carbon Literate Museum, the museum has recycled and reused as much material within the museum during renovation works.