Development Update

The journey continues...

Thanks to funding from both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Stockton Borough Council, Preston Hall Museum & Park is currently undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment to transform the Grade II listed building and its surroundings.

Preston Hall Museum & Park Craft Resource mix picture. External view and blacksmiths at work.
By Tom Kirby

Above ( l to r): the completed Craft Resource and craftspeople at work

Completed works so far include the creation of a dedicated Learning Resource building for a range of school visits and activities, and the refurbishment of many of the facilities within the popular Victorian Street. The site has also benefitted from the construction of a Collections Store, housing the wide range of items currently held by the Museum, and a purpose built Craft Unit for demonstrations and workshops by our in-house craftspeople.

Preston Hall Museum & Park Spence Building newly built to house Stockton's Museum collections.
Image by Tom Kirby

Above (l to r): The Spence Building and ongoing collections work

The current ongoing phase sees the restoration and refurbishment of the Grade II listed Hall, incorporating improved access, opening up of original features and the complete redisplay of the wide collection of items which the museum holds.

In addition to this, work is currently underway on the restoration of the Victorian Kitchen Garden & Orchard. Once the heart of the Hall, the gardens fell into decline during the 20th Century. Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Summer 2012 will see the launch of a fully restored site, with glasshouses, fresh produce and a wide range of events and activities throughout the season.

In order to complete the final phase of works, the museum is temporarily closed but will re-open in its entirety for Summer 2012.