The Norris Museum in St Ives will be reopening with a celebration event this weekend (July 29-30).

The Hunts Post: Boudicca and bodyguard can be seen at the reopening of the St Ives Museum.Boudicca and bodyguard can be seen at the reopening of the St Ives Museum. (Image: Archant)

Visitors can enjoy an extensive selection of re-enactments and living history, music and crafts as well as a market which will include demonstrations of traditional crafts.

At 2pm on both days there will also be a celebration parade through St Ives town centre, which will be a showcase of historical heroes banners, which have been designed by children in the town.

The reopening follows a £1.4 million redevelopment that was made possible after the Huntingdonshire’s Heritage project received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

“The reopening of the museum marks a momentous milestone for the project,” said Hannah Vandridge from the museum.

There will be an opportunity to meet characters from throughout the ages, make a unique re-opening t-shirt with professional artist Ricki Outis, and get crafty with some activities on The Waits.

Robyn Llewellyn, head of HLF East of England, said: “Huntingdonshire’s heritage now has a secure future and people of all ages now have the opportunity to share in the stories of their communities. We look forward to celebrating the re-opening”

The Norris Museum is situated in the centre of the town and looks after 30,000 items, from 160-million-year-old Jurassic fossils to beautiful flint tools from the Stone Age, to Roman pottery and figurines to curios of Victorian collectors.

The redevelopment project has seen the addition of a new wing, a larger, more accessible gallery space and improved facilities.

Once re-opened, the museum plans to continue its school learning sessions, family event days, under-fives Rhyme Time sessions, workshops and community clubs.