Latest News
August 2009
The Great North Museum: Hancock is celebrating after crashing through it its annual target of 300,000 visitors in less than three months, breaking all records for such a venue in the North East.
Since opening on Saturday 23 May, over 400,000 people have already visited the Museum. Between five and ten thousand people are visiting the Museum on a daily basis and North East families are taking full advantage of the new attraction during the school summer holidays.
Some of the feedback from visitors has included – “an excellent museum most imaginatively arranged and a delight to visit”, and “this is a brilliant museum for all ages”.
Professor Paul Younger, Pro-Vice-vice-Chancellor for Engagement at Newcastle University and chair of the Great North Museum Board, said:
"Given the quality of the collections and the strength of the partnership that delivered the project, the University was always confident that the Great North Museum would be a big success. However, the actual response of visitors has far exceeded anything we dared to hope for. We are absolutely thrilled to have struck a chord with so many people”.
Cllr. Ged Bell, Chair of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, added:
“The public reaction has been overwhelming and we are really grateful to everyone who is supporting us with such enthusiasm. We have had such a positive response from the public which has been reflected not only in the number of visitors coming to the museum each day, but in the number that are coming back”.
Professor Peter Davis, Chair of The Natural History Society of Northumbria, says:
“We are delighted with the impact that the museum has had on re-opening. It demonstrates not only the affection that local people have for this wonderful museum as a local landmark and institution, but also for the continued interest of people of the North East in the natural world, the past history of our region and other cultures. It is marvelous to walk through the museum and so many people of all ages enjoying the revitalized exhibitions.”
The new Museum brings together the North East’s premier collections of archaeology, natural history, geology and world cultures under one roof. It incorporates collections from the original Hancock Museum, and Newcastle University’s former Museum of Antiquities and the Shefton Museum.
Currently on show until 29 November is Lindow Man: Body of Evidence. On loan from the British Museum, this exhibition features the human remains of the 1st century AD bog body - Lindow Man.
The exhibition provides different perspectives on the life and death of a man who returned to us after nearly two thousand years. Using virtual technology, visitors become the forensic investigators; using all of the facts and evidence presented in the exhibition they can determine how and why he died.
Also on show until 20 September is Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009. This annual competition run by London’s Natural History Museum features some of the world’s most prestigious wildlife photography and is regarded as the international leader in the artistic representation of the natural world. The show includes the work of Miguel Lasa from Hartlepool who was one of the winners in the competition.
Highlights of the new Museum include a planetarium, a life-size replica T.rex skeleton, mummies from Ancient Egypt, a large scale model of Hadrian’s Wall and a display of many of its treasures, and a superb collection of ancient Greek art and archaeology. Animals from around the world, make up a spectacular display of life on Earth, past and present, and highlight the diversity of the animal kingdom.
Conferencing and catering services for this new venue are provided by Sodexo Prestige. The museum features a large exhibition space of almost 500 sq meters, the Clore Learning Centre for meetings and receptions, café areas for evening entertainment and a Planetarium for private viewings. This fantastic new venue offers an inspirational setting for dinners, conferences, meetings and networking events and offers guests an unforgettable experience. The museum can be hired as a whole, accommodating up to 1,300 guests or as separate areas depending on the size and format of the event.
For details of availability contact our Events Team on 0191 222 5124 or email: greatnorthmuseum.uk@sodexo.com or visit www.supberbchristmasparties.co.uk
The Great North Museum: Hancock is located on Barras Bridge, on Newcastle University’s campus. Just two minutes’ walk from Haymarket Metro and bus stations. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm
Tel: (0191) 222 6765.
Admission to the Museum is Free, though entry to the temporary Lindow Man exhibition costs £2.95 for adults and £1.95 for children / other concessionary visitors.
www.greatnorthmuseum.org
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Great North Museum is a partnership between Newcastle University, Tyne & Wear Museums, Newcastle City Council, the Natural History Society of Northumbria and the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The creation of the Great North Museum: Hancock has been made possible by £8.75million in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), in addition to generous funding from a wide range of supporters including the European Regional Development Fund, One North East, Newcastle University, Newcastle City Council, TyneWear Partnership, Northern Rock Foundation, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Garfield Weston Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation and the DCMS/Wolfson Museums & Galleries Improvement Fund.
The creation of the Great North Museum: Hancock is part of the wider Great North Museum project involving the redevelopment of the magnificent Hancock Museum, the management of the Hatton Gallery and the development of The Great North Museum Resource Centre.
The Great North Museum: Hancock building, land and over £20 million of the Natural History Collection within the museum are owned by the Natural History Society of Northumbria.