HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to officially open the Cardiff Story

26th June 2011

The Cardiff Story museum will get the Royal seal of approval, when Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall officially opens the museum’s Phase 1 galleries today, Tuesday 28 June. The visit forms a part of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s annual summer visit to Wales.

Also in attendance will be Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for South Glamorgan Dr Peter Beck, The Lord Mayor of Cardiff Cllr Prof. Delme Bowen and the Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Rodney Berman.

The Cardiff Story is the new museum dedicated to the history of Cardiff, told through a number of themes. The museum charts the history of the city from the small market town of the 1300s to the cool capital we know today, all told through the eyes of those who made it – its people. The new museum is located on the site of the iconic Victorian Grade II* listed Old Library. The fun and interactive museum includes a permanent introductory gallery (Cardiff in Context), a fully interactive lifelong learning suite (City Lab), state of the art classrooms, a community showcase gallery and access to the Grade II* Listed tiled corridor. During the visit, Her Royal Highness will be shown around the museum by Dr Kathleen Howe, Museum Director.

The Duchess of Cornwall will also meet volunteers, object and story contributors and benefactors who have helped bring The Cardiff Story to life, as well school children from Grangetown Primary who have helped in the museum’s consultation process.

The museum’s collection is made up of over 3,000 objects, the vast majority of which has been donated by the Cardiff public. Items on display in the Museum range from a set of commemorative coins from the opening of the Queen Alexandra Dock in 1907 to a jukebox from Clwb Ifor Bach that Cardiffians danced to nearly a century later.

The Cardiff Story has also worked in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales to allow Cardiffians access to over 8000 Cardiff related objects in their collection. Many of these are on display in the Cardiff in Context gallery.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman, said: “It’s a great privilege that The Duchess of Cornwall will visit Cardiff and officially open The Cardiff Story and I am delighted this groundbreaking museum is being recognized in this way.

“The Cardiff Story has been an ambition for the city for a number of years and the completion of phase one of the project is a reflection on the Council’s commitment to ensuring the rich history of Cardiff is preserved. Work on phase two has already begun, with The Cardiff Story team working hard to secure additional items and funding.

“It’s important that we capture the past, present and future of the capital with the museum providing both an introduction to the city for visitors and a community resource for residents.”

The Cardiff Story Museum Manager, Dr Kathleen Howe, said: “The opening of this brand new, permanent museum is testimony to the goodwill and enthusiasm of the people of Cardiff, whose support has been vital to telling The Cardiff Story. We have been humbled by the willingness to share family stories, precious keepsakes and the fact that many have also contributed financially to achieving their museum.

“We’re honoured for the museum to be officially opened by Her Royal Highness and can’t wait to show her round the new galleries The Cardiff Story team and I are all excited about continuing to work with our partners and the people of Cardiff to tell the next chapters of Cardiff’s fascinating story.. ”

Dan Clayton Jones, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, which awarded £440,000 to the project, said: “Cardiff Story has brought the city’s fascinating historic past back to life. Thousands of local people and visitors have already passed through its doors keen to explore the people and places that have made Cardiff what it is today. Communities and local people are at the heart of this project, and their tales, memories and experiences will help share the city’s story for many years to come.”

The Cardiff Story has already begun work on its Phase 2 galleries which will include a new permanent gallery, a temporary exhibition gallery, a café and upgrading the building’s south stairwell to further enhance the visitor experience in interpreting Cardiff’s history. The permanent gallery will explore the intangible elements of Cardiff’s history, the things that give Cardiff its unique character and identity - the people and their communities, the culture, sport and leisure.

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