£1.5 million Roman museum for Malton (From Gazette & Herald)
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£1.5 million Roman museum for Malton
10:10am Wednesday 30th December 2009 in News By David Jeffels
MALTON’S Roman history looks set to become a major force in the town’s 21st century economy.
Progress is well underway to create a £1.5 million museum and visitor centre in a complex of buildings at the rear of the Fitzwilliam Estate’s historic offices in Old Maltongate, Coun David Lloyd-Williams, chairman of the trustees of Malton Museum, has revealed.
For more than 20 years, the museum has occupied the old town hall in Malton Market Place. But many of its artefacts had to be stored away because of a shortage of exhibition space.
Now, the Castle Gardens and Roman fort area near Orchard Fields, are to become Malton’s answer to the Jorvik Centre in York, Coun Lloyd-Williams believes.
The Malton Museum Foundation and York Archaeological Trust are working together on the new project, he said.
“The trust approached us about carrying out excavation work in much the same way as it has done in Hungate, York, with teams of volunteers, so we jumped at the opportunity.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund, which is being asked to provide about £1 million of the cost, has indicated to the Trust that its plans can move to the next stage.
“These are exciting times for both the museum and Malton itself,” said Coun Lloyd-Williams. “Once we have the lottery funding, work could start in early 2011.”
Among the many features at the new visitor centre will be a large garden depicting four periods – Medieval, Victorian, Georgian and Roman. An educational centre, café and on-going excavations will also feature strongly. Hands-on activities for children, a resource centre, play area and guided tours will also be included.
“The scheme has the potential to be an enormous boost for Malton,” said Coun Lloyd-Williams.
Meanwhile, Malton and Norton Business in Action is to investigate ideas to link with the visitor centre including a chariot race through Malton and costumed Roman soldiers in the town.
