A museum once at risk of closure has recorded 50,000 visitors in just 12 months.
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery has transformed its fortunes through major investment and a renewed vision, increasing from 28,000 four years ago.
Much of the turnaround is credited to a reimagined visitor experience, part of an extensive capital investment project.
This included the redevelopment of key galleries such as the Mineral Gallery, the Heart of Cornwall Gallery, the Nature Gallery, and the introduction of an Art Gallery in the building’s upper gallery.
Bryony Robins, co-director of the museum, said: “From the very beginning we’ve known that the museum is not only important to the community but also plays a fundamental role as home to Cornwall’s heritage, identity and story.
“Cornwall deserves a world-class museum and the transformation and increase in visitor numbers proves that local people, schools and visitors to the area want a chance to engage with the region’s history in a meaningful way.”
The museum houses more than one million artefacts and is the region’s largest museum for Cornish heritage, history and culture.
Amongst its collections are the world’s earliest examples of mining, with an antler pick and shovel dating back to the Bronze Age and Bronze Age Lunalae, gold crescent-shaped neck ornaments.
Volunteer Annie Baker said: “It’s been incredible to be part of the changes to the museum and we’ve seen a real shift in how visitors are engaging with the collections.
“The exhibitions really bring to life the many different stories of Cornwall and they give visitors a true insight into the people and places that have shaped the Cornwall we know and love today.”
The museum recently secured £440,000 in initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop its plans for the final phase of its transformation, which will see further upgrades to the visitor experience and encompass works to its educational facilities.
Co-director Jonathan Morton said: “We’re incredibly proud of the process the museum has been through over the last four years and we couldn’t have done it without the dedication of our team and trustees.
“Hitting 50k visitors has been a key milestone for us, and we’re looking towards the final phase of transformation with renewed excitement.”
The museum has already begun the process of consulting with communities for feedback, with further consultation events and activities taking place through the summer.