Pontypridd Museum is opening its doors to the public for the first time since the town suffered severe flooding during Storm Dennis, and a brand new community space has been revealed.
As a result of the severe weather in February 2020 the museum’s basement was flooded, and major repair works were required.
Monday, March 7 will mark just over two years since it closed its doors and now Pontypridd Museum, which is run by Pontypridd Town Council, will begin to welcome visitors back to the facility with new exhibitions, a programme of events and activities and a brand new community space in the basement.
Renovation and repair works have taken place including revamping the basement area, which will now serve as a community hub, housing several organisations working across a variety of sectors in Pontypridd.
These include the Your Pontypridd BID and Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival. It will also provide a space for community groups and individuals to meet and conduct activities.
Improved storage for the museum’s collection has also been created to reduce the flood risk to the many historical objects it contains.
The museum was officially re-opened by Dawn Bowden MS, the Deputy Minister for Arts & Sport, on Friday, March 4 before fully re-opening to the public on Monday, March 7.
Two new exhibitions will be on display - one showing the impact of Storm Dennis on Pontypridd and also showing the community resilience witnessed in its aftermath.
A second exhibition will focus on the history of the museum building itself.
Morwenna Lewis, Curator of Pontypridd Museum, said: "We’re thrilled to finally be able to welcome visitors back to the museum in person.
"Everyone has been working extremely hard behind the scenes for the past two years to restore and to rejuvenate this essential space in Pontypridd’s rich cultural tapestry.
"We’re looking forward to a big year ahead, with many new exhibitions and celebrations of Pontypridd’s heritage to come.”
Housed in the former Tabernacl Welsh Baptist Chapel on Bridge Street, Pontypridd Museum tells the story of an area transformed - from a quiet Valleys community to a thriving industrial town at the heart of the South Wales coalfield.
Around this industry sprung a vibrant culture of music, art, sport and political activity which still shapes the town today.
Councillor Lynda Davies, Chair of Pontypridd Town Council’s Regeneration and Museum Committee, said: “Pontypridd Museum is of vital importance to the town and beyond, and we’re very happy to see its doors open once again.
"The museum not only preserves Pontypridd’s past but also looks towards Pontypridd’s future, by inspiring new generations with the history housed within its walls and now with the welcome addition of a new wonderful community space for people to come together and enjoy.”
The museum will be open between Monday and Friday from 10am to 4pm.
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