The redevelopment will see the creation of a new permanent exhibition, which will highlight how the local area has been shaped by 300,000 years of migration and settlement
Hackney Museum is set to undergo a transformative redesign and modernisation, thanks to a £2,241,216 grant awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project aims to create a more dynamic and inclusive space for residents, utilising the museum’s unique historical collections in bold and innovative ways.
The redevelopment will see the creation of a new permanent exhibition, which will highlight how the local area has been shaped by 300,000 years of migration and settlement. Alongside this, the museum will feature a new visitor reception, two temporary exhibition areas, a redeveloped community room, an improved shop, events and teaching spaces, and enhanced digital resources to make Hackney’s rich histories more accessible to a wider audience.
Local community groups and organisations will play a pivotal role in shaping the redevelopment. They will contribute ideas towards permanent and temporary exhibitions, digital content, and skills development programmes. There will also be opportunities for volunteers to get involved, helping to uncover local histories related to significant events such as the Blitz, activism, and social change.
The new permanent exhibition will delve into the social and economic changes that have made Hackney a desirable place to live, while also addressing the challenges faced by local communities. The borough’s long history of community solidarity and activism will be a key focus. Notable exhibits will include Hackney’s famous Anglo-Saxon longboat, discovered in Springfield Park, and a replica of the boat that has been a favourite among thousands of children. Additionally, the remains of a 300,000-year-old straight-tusked elephant, the world’s largest ever land mammal, discovered in Evering Road, Stoke Newington, will be displayed to illustrate a time when Hackney’s climate and landscape were vastly different, resembling a South African savannah.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Hackney Central is changing. This funding is fantastic news for Hackney Museum, which has been telling the borough’s incredible stories for nearly 40 years. Hackney has a rich and diverse history – from its rural past before the 1850s to the housing boom of the late 19th century, the arrival of the railways and industrialisation, through to the devastation of the Blitz during the Second World War, and the borough’s more recent transformations as a 2012 Olympic host borough. Over this long period of time, people from around the world have made Hackney their home and shaped the places we know today.”
Chris Kennedy, Cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector and culture, added, “The new displays will be imaginative, interactive and immersive, with opportunities for hands-on learning and play. This transformation will ensure Hackney Museum can continue to be a vital place for communities, education and inspiration for all residents, and a place for visitors from all over the world to come and find out more about Hackney’s histories. We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Hackney Museum will remain a space where local people can celebrate their heritage, explore their identity, and contribute to the ever-evolving story of Hackney.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London and the South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented, “It is fantastic news that thanks to the National Lottery players, we have supported Hackney Museum with this transformational project. At the Heritage Fund, our vision is simple: we want heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future, and this project is a fantastic example of this. It is a once-in-a-generation redevelopment that will ensure that the borough’s heritage is brought to life in innovative ways, representing the diverse cultures and stories of its community.”
The four-year project will necessitate the closure of Hackney Museum for a year from late 2025, with plans to reopen by early 2027. During this period, the museum will continue to engage with the community through various projects across the borough. A series of events and exhibitions to celebrate the relaunch will run throughout 2027 and 2028, ensuring that the museum remains a vibrant and integral part of Hackney’s cultural landscape.
