The Ashmolean Museum

One of the world’s leading museums, the Ashmolean, founded in 1683, reopened in 2009 following a major redevelopment.

The redevelopment of the Ashmolean includes the construction of a new contemporary building to replace additions constructed in the 1980s and the restoration of galleries in the 1845 building designed by Charles Cockerell.

Located to the north of the original museum, 35 new galleries present the innovative redisplay of the permanent collections of art and archaeology over five floors.

It reveals how the civilisations of the east and west have developed as part of an interrelated world culture. The objects’ stories are told by tracing the journey of ideas and influences through time and across continents. On the lower ground floor, visitors can explore the connections between objects and activities common to different cultures, such as money, reading and writing and the representation of the human image.

On the floors above, galleries are arranged chronologically, charting the development of the ancient and modern worlds.

Orientation galleries on each floor provide story trails, helping visitors plan their own route through time. Introducing key themes, such as art, religion, trade and geography, these galleries illuminate the many connections and comparisons that help bring the past to life.

There is also a suite of four new temporary exhibition galleries, a new education centre, conservation studios, a walkthrough to the museum and the Cast Gallery and Oxford’s first rooftop restaurant.

The £61 million project has been funded with a £15 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Additional major support has been given by the Linbury Trust, along with numerous trusts, foundations and individuals.