Following a three-year transformation, the Museum of Childhood re-opens in 2008 as a fascinating and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. This is how it was reborn.

© National Trust

The Museum of Childhood has been transformed thanks to a £2.2 million re-development project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Betty Cadbury Trust, the National Trust, National Trust Supporters Groups including the South Derbyshire Centre, and several generous legacies.

The old Museum

The Museum of Childhood was first created by Derbyshire County Council in the 1970s in the former servants’ wing at Sudbury Hall. The Museum was home to the Betty Cadbury Collection of Playthings Past.

When it came into the care of the National Trust in 1991, little had altered since its opening.

back to top

The new Museum is born

The Museum of Childhood had been incredibly popular over the years but there was now a need to refresh the displays, many of which had not changed since the 1970s.

The project to transform the Museum took place over three years from 2006 to 2008. It was aided in 2006 by a donation of £1.6 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Museum closed in October 2006 and underwent a £2.2 million transformation, re-opening in spring 2008.

back to top

When the Museum closed it was all hands on deck packing up the collection for storage or to be sent away for conservation work. The builders then started work installing a lift to provide access to all floors. A new mezzanine floor has increased the size of the Museum by 50 per cent.	© National Trust / Mike Williams

back to top

A new look interactive experience

Our staff worked with Haley Sharpe Design, an interpretation and design consultancy, to decide what the new Museum of Childhood would look like and what our visitors would be able to see, do and discover.

Behind the scenes, staff selected objects from the collection to appear in the new Museum. They identified a number of gaps in the collection, such as a Girl's World styling head and a skateboard, and asked for the public’s help in filling them.

The team also researched film and audio footage to incorporate into the galleries and set about developing great interactive displays to entertain visitors of all ages.

We also asked Sure Start families and special needs students to test drive our ideas and pilot the interactive displays that you can now see in the Museum.