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Great expectations: Development Heritage Vision
Great Expectations is a new £3.1m project to restore, redevelop and
improve the Charles Dickens Museum, timed to coincide with the
bicentenary of Dickens's birth in 1812. Since 1925, the way in which the
Museum and its artefacts are presented has changed little. Many visitors
have commented positively on our traditional and conservative appearance
compared to modern museums, which are full of technology and 'gadgets'.
The Great Expectations project aims to preserve and enhance this special
atmosphere while at the same time carrying out important works to preserve
the structure of the building, improve access and provide a richer visitor
experience.
Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, the Museum at 48 Doughty Street was
Dickens's family home and place of writing such classics as Oliver Twist
and the Pickwick papers. Since 1925 the Museum has opened the doors to
its important collection to the public and scholars alike. The Museum also
features in many film productions, including Clint Eastwood's motion
picture 'Hereafter' which features one of the Museum's literary treasures-
one among over 100,000 historical items in our collection.
For the first time in 80 years, the Museum will use both 48 and 49 Doughty
Street to create a new visitor experience. The adjacent property at 49
Doughty Street was purchased by the Museum's first Trustees the
Dickens Fellowship) in 1925 to ensure that we could eventually expand to
accommodate the growing collection and have more space for visitors.
Expansion will allow us to create a traditional period museum in Dickens's
former home alongside a more modern, functional Visitor and Learning
Centre in No 49. Increasing visitor space by 100%, this project will provide
a much richer and exiting journey through the Museum whilst allowing us
to hold more venets and learning activities for people of all ages.
The house at 48 Doughty Street- built in 1809 as a family residence - has
been used as a museum for over 80 years and has seen more than two
million people walk through its doors.
Consequently, the fabric and services of the building have suffered. Now
we need to carry out important works to preserve the structure of the
Grade-I listed building, provide a better visitor experience and comply with
current legislation on access, health and safety.
"A house which then appeared to me a frightfully first class family mansion,
involving awful responsibilities.Charles Dickens over his house at 48
Doughty Street.
