A MUSEUM and former passenger steamship is set to undergo a massive £1million restoration project this year.
The SS Great Britain inhas secured funding for a huge project to create a better museum experience for the public to visit in the future.
According to Museum and Heritage, the museum will close in spring 2026 and reopen the same year as part of the redevelopment.
The investment will go towards developing innovative storytelling, education, research and engagement.
The transformation will mainly focus on the redevelopment of the Dockyard which leads visitors onto the historic ship.
Essentially an immersive experience, the visitors will be able to explore how SS Great Britain changed the world.
It will include telling visitors how the ship carried over 30,000 passengers and crew between 1845 and 1886.
In addition, there will be a new community hub and opportunities for people to join the organisation as researchers and as advisory group members.
In total, £705,000 has been secured from the Philip Nicholas Trust to reimagine the Dockyard Museum and £245,000 has been awarded buy The Heritage Fund for the project.
The steamship was the largest of its kind between 1845 and 1853 and was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, for the Great Western Steamship Company’s transatlantic service between and City.
Initially the ship was designed to be a luxury passenger service ship between Bristol and
But after some time, it was converted to carry cargo including coal and wheat between and America.
It then was later used as coal storage in the before being abandoned.
Since 1970 the ship has been stationed in Bristol after Sir Jack Arnold Hayward – a British businessman – paid for the vessel repaired enough to be towed back to the UK.
Global Voyages – the new community-led project – will help guide the redevelopment of the Dockyard Museum.
Chair of SS Great Britain Trust Matthew Jones said: “The SS Great Britain is far more than a it is a vital part of Bristol’s cultural fabric.
“This much-loved has helped shape the identity of the city and continues to bring communities together.
“I’m therefore delighted to see the SS Great Britain embracing bold new directions and exploring the evolving role that can play in our future.”;
CEO Andrew Edwards, who was appointed in June 2024, said: “Bristol is a city shaped by global journeys, and so is the SS Great Britain.
“This is not only about a funding milestone; it’s about creating opportunities for the discovery of new stories and ideas.”;
The SS Great Britain’s Community Advisory Group said: “By having a permanent community space, there is more confidence about sharing perspectives, and that the SS Great Britain can reflect the diversity of Bristol.
“Building and sharing a dedicated space allows us to create our own heritage at the SS Great Britain, which can last for future generations.”;
Dr Sam Willis award-winning historian, archaeologist and broadcaster, and Trustee of the Philip Nicholas Charitable Trust added: “We’re thrilled to invest in this significant project, which will deepen the stories told about those who travelled and worked aboard the SS Great Britain throughout its remarkable history.
“Authentic storytelling allows us to better understand ourselves by reflecting on the past.
“Philip Nicholas was deeply passionate about maritime history, and we are delighted that his name and legacy will be associated with this exciting development.”;
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