Major update planned for Lincoln Museum to improve exhibitions and access

Major works to a museum to keep it fresh and accessible to the public will go before councillors next week.

The free Lincoln Museum – formerly known as The Collection – displays Lincolnshire’s history from the Stone Age through the Roman, Saxon and Viking eras.

Plans will go before a Lincolnshire County Council committee to improve the display of its artefacts and enhance the public exhibition space.

The proposed work would take place from July 2025 to January 2026, with the new exhibits opening to the public in late spring.

The changes will reveal exhibits previously unseen by the public, a council report says.

“The approach to the design ensures longevity and flexibility within the exhibition spaces at Lincoln Museum,” it states.

“This development will allow Lincoln Museum to showcase and rotate the rich history of Lincolnshire through its treasures.”

The report states that new zones and trails will be created to tell the story of Lincolnshire’s history, along with hyper-realistic interactive digital works.

The public engagement area, which has previously hosted artwork and interactive exhibits, will become an exhibition space available for event hire.

It states that the public will have more reasons to visit, and increased revenue will be reinvested into cultural services.

Work has been under way for several months to update the café, toilets and IT systems in the auditorium.

Coun Lindsey Cawrey (Con), executive councillor for culture, previously said: “This is the biggest update to Lincoln Museum since we opened in 2005 and will let us continue to give visitors the warm welcome they expect while putting on the exciting exhibitions and events we are known for.

“At over 690m², the archaeology gallery is by far the largest space in Lincoln Museum, and although it still captivates visitors, the displays are now largely 20 years old.

“In order to continue attracting new visitors to the museum and the city, we need to rethink how we tell Lincolnshire’s story. We’re working on an exciting new look for the archaeology gallery, with creative, interactive displays that will allow visitors to explore the county’s history like never before.”

The report will be discussed by a committee on Tuesday (February 25) before going to the council leader and Coun Cawrey for final approval next month.