AN exhibition which opened more than 30 years ago will finally close at the end of this month in preparation for a revamping of the Jersey Museum’s permanent exhibition space.
A new exhibition, opening next summer, will also herald the introduction of free access to the museum, a policy set out in the government’s heritage strategy and funded from increased government support for the culture sector.
It was in 1992 that the Story of Jersey – an exploration of the Island’s history from the Ice Age to the heyday of tourism – opened on the first floor of the Jersey Museum, to be visited by thousands of visitors.
But it will make way for a new exhibition, details of which have yet to be released, that will “tell the story of some of the most important chapters and objects in Jersey’s history”.
Jersey Heritage head of programmes Morgan Ward said: “Over the next few months, we’ll be removing the old displays to make way for new ones and we can’t wait to share the new exhibition with the public next summer.”
It will coincide with a fundamental change of approach that will see the current £12.10, £10.90 and £7.85 tickets – for adults, seniors and students – replaced by a policy of free access to be introduced on a trial basis.
Last month, on 16 and 17 September, Islanders had a taste of the new approach when museum opened free to mark European Heritage Day, but Mr Ward explained the rationale for a more permanent arrangement.
“We are still in the planning stages, but the aim behind the free entry pilot is to ensure the Museum is open to everyone and the exhibitions, artwork and collection pieces that tell the Island’s story can be enjoyed by all.
“This fits with one of the main aims of our charity: to provide access to Jersey’s rich history and share the Island’s story to as many people as possible,” he said. The final day for the public to visit the Story of Jersey exhibition is also the last day to visit Elizabeth Castle this year. It will close for the winter at the end of the day on Sunday, 29 October and reopen in March 2024.
However, the remaining five sites – Mont Orgueil Castle, Hamptonne Country Life Museum, La Hougue Bie, the Maritime Museum, and Jersey Museum itself – no longer follow the traditional tourism season and are open daily all year round.
