Pontypridd Museum to Reopen for the First Time Since Storm Dennis

Pontypridd Museum is opening its doors to the public for the first time since the town suffered severe flooding during Storm Dennis in February 2020.

The museum’s basement was flooded and major repair works were required.

From Monday March 7th, just over two years since it closed its doors, Pontypridd Museum which is run by Pontypridd Town Council will once again welcome visitors, with new exhibitions, a programme of events and activities and a brand new community space in the basement.

Renovation and repair works have taken place including revamping the basement area which will now serve as a community hub housing several key organisations working across a variety of sectors in Pontypridd, including the Your Pontypridd BID and Pontypridd Children’s Book Festival and will provide a space for community groups and individuals to meet and conduct activities. Improved storage for the museum’s collection has also been created, to reduce the flood risk to the many historical objects it contains.

The museum will be officially reopened by Dawn Bowden MS, the Deputy Minister for Arts & Sport at a special event on Friday 4th March before fully reopening to the public on Monday March 7th.

Two new exhibitions will be on display, one showing the impact of storm Dennis on Pontypridd and the community resilience witnessed in its aftermath and a second on the history of the museum building itself.

Housed in the former Tabernacl Welsh Baptist Chapel on Bridge Street, Pontypridd Museum tells the story of an area transformed, from a quiet Valleys community to a thriving industrial town at the heart of the South Wales coalfield. Around this industry sprung a vibrant culture of music, art, sport and political activity which still shapes the town today.

GTFM’s Gavin Powell was at the special event and spoke to the Museum Curator Morwenna Lewis and the Chief Executive and Town Clark of Pontypridd Town Council Tony Graham

Member of Senedd for Pontypridd Mick Antoniw and Dawn Bowden MS, the Deputy Minister for Arts & Sport

Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones

 

Morwenna Lewis, Curator of Pontypridd Museum said,

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to welcome visitors back to the museum in person. Everyone has been working extremely hard behind the scenes for the past two years to restore and to rejuvenate this essential space in Pontypridd’s rich cultural tapestry. We’re looking forward to a big year ahead, with many new exhibitions and celebrations of Pontypridd’s heritage to come.”

Councillor Lynda Davies, Chair of Pontypridd Town Council’s Regeneration and Museum Committee said,

“Pontypridd Museum is of vital importance to the town and beyond and we’re very happy to see its doors open once again. The museum not only preserves Pontypridd’s past but also looks towards Pontypridd’s future, by inspiring new generations with the history housed within its walls and now with the welcome addition of a new wonderful community space for people to come together and enjoy.”

The museum will be open every Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm from March 7th.