The Museum of Two Halves, which includes a fully refurbished and enhanced Wrexham Museum in the current building, and also a brand-new National Football Museum in Wales, is to receive over £2.7m. As part of a significant National Lottery Heritage Fund funding grant.
The project aims to combine the town’s sporting heritage and football’s popularity. This will increase an understanding of the history of the sport in Wales and also engage new audiences.
The museum will house a permanent display of the Welsh Football Collection for the first time in 24 years. Showcasing a collection that embodies over 4,000 years of history, 40 years of community and many lifetimes of memories within football’s spiritual home of Wrexham.
Ninety per cent of the collection is of national and international significance. One-quarter of the items are particularly rare or unique in nature. This includes, John Charles’ debut shirt for Wales v Ireland from March 1950 and also a cap awarded to Billy Meredith, born 150 years ago. Meredith was a pioneer of Welsh football. He played for Manchester City and Manchester United alongside Wales, and retired aged 50!
Welsh Football Collection
Funding made possible by National Lottery players means the museum can purchase a Welsh football collection from a private collection. This includes an unrivalled collection of material relating to Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup final victory and also an impressive variety of Wales men’s international match programmes, the earliest dated 1901.
Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Member for Community Safety, Cllr Paul Roberts said: “This is huge news for Wrexham. The new museum is set to become a major new national attraction for the city, drawing new visitors from all over Wales and beyond, and playing a key role at the heart of Wrexham’s burgeoning tourism and cultural offer.
“We would like to thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their invaluable support in backing this exciting project. The money raised by National Lottery players is going to help us transform one of our city’s landmark buildings into a world-class venue. The rich history of our county borough will be celebrated alongside the eventful story of Welsh football. Preserved for future generations to discover and enjoy for years to come.”
Lottery Funding Helping Museums
A total of £7.6m has been awarded to museum projects in the latest National Lottery Heritage Fund grant funding. Other projects receiving funding include:
- The Diving Museum in Gosport, Hampshire
- Leach Pottery Museum in St Ives, Cornwall
- The Museum of Aberdeenshire
- The Egypt Exploration Society in Camden
- Lancashire Cricket Heritage Experience in Old Trafford
These museums will also join over 5,900 museums already funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund over the last 30 years.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “From Aberdeenshire to Cornwall, our latest investment in museums shows the incredible diversity and brilliance of our museums, with collections of local, national and international significance. These projects will inspire visitors of all ages. With many of these collections being revealed for the first time, it will also connect people with the individual stories of sport, diving, pottery, archaeology and much more, adding up to a national story covering all the varied heritage we have to offer.
“Our investment in the cultural heritage fabric of these museums will inspire people, connect communities, and drive growth. It will allow everyone to discover the amazing local heritage in towns across the UK.
“Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. These museums show that passion and variety. No matter what the weather brings, a fantastic museum or heritage place is always open to discover, explore and enjoy.”
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