World Museum Liverpool: A Journey Through History and Innovation

TL;DR:

• World Museum Liverpool traces its origins to the 13th Earl of Derby’s natural history collection in 1851.
• The current museum complex incorporates the original 1860 William Brown Library and Museum building and a 1901 extension.
• Key figures include Sir William Brown who funded the first building, architects like John Weightman and Edward Mountford, and curators who shaped the collections.
• The museum survived WWII bombings, underwent major renovations in 2005, and remains a world-class attraction in Liverpool.

The Origins: From the Earl of Derby’s Collection

The story of Liverpool’s renowned World Museum begins with the 13th Earl of Derby’s natural history collection.

In 1851, the Earl donated his extensive assemblage of specimens and artifacts, forming the foundation of the Derby Museum. 

Initially sharing space with a library on Duke Street, the museum’s popularity soon necessitated a dedicated building.

This paved the way for the construction of the grand William Brown Library and Museum on William Brown Street. 

Sir William Brown: The Visionary Patron

The new museum building would not have been possible without the generosity and vision of Sir William Brown, a prominent Liverpool merchant and MP.

Brown donated the land on Shaw’s Brow (now William Brown Street) and provided significant funding for the project, which ultimately cost over £20,000 – far exceeding his initial offer of £6,000. 

In recognition of his pivotal role, the street was renamed William Brown Street, and the building bore his name as the William Brown Library and Museum.

Sir William Brown’s patronage ensured that Liverpool would have a world-class museum befitting its status as a major port city. 

The Architectural Masterpiece

The design of the William Brown Library and Museum was a collaborative effort between architects Thomas Allom and John Weightman.

Allom’s initial neoclassical design, featuring Corinthian columns and a deep central portico, set the tone for the prestigious William Brown Street cultural quarter. Weightman, Liverpool’s corporation architect, modified and refined Allom’s plans, creating a “restrained and well-proportioned classical composition” that would become a Grade II* listed building.  

The museum’s grand opening in 1860 attracted a staggering 400,000 visitors, a testament to the public’s anticipation and the building’s architectural splendour. 

Edward Mountford’s Iconic Extension

As the museum’s collections grew, an extension became necessary. In a competition to design a combined museum and college of technology, Edward William Mountford’s proposal emerged victorious.

His addition, completed in 1901, seamlessly blended with the original building while introducing a more baroque style. 

Mountford’s extension featured “advancing pedimented bays, with extravagantly blocked columns flanking big, deep niches lined with windows,” as well as matching balustrades, adding to the overall elegance and fine detail of the complex.  

This iconic extension now houses the Bug House and World Cultures galleries, among others. 

Surviving the Liverpool Blitz

During World War II, Liverpool’s status as a major port city made it a target for German bombing raids.

In May 1941, the museum suffered devastating damage when it was struck by firebombs during the Liverpool Blitz. While much of the collection had been evacuated to safer locations, the museum building was reduced to a shell.

It would take 15 years for parts of the museum to reopen, with Prime Minister Harold Wilson presiding over the first phase of the rebuilt sections in 1966. 

The Rebirth: World Museum Liverpool

In the early 2000s, the museum underwent a transformative £35 million renovation and expansion, doubling its display space and creating a central atrium entrance.

Major new galleries, including the World Cultures, Bug House, and Weston Discovery Centre, were unveiled, and the museum was rebranded as the World Museum Liverpool in 2005. 

This ambitious project not only modernized the facilities but also reinforced the museum’s position as a world-class institution, showcasing its extensive collections spanning archaeology, ethnology, and the natural and physical sciences. 

Key Curators and Innovators

Throughout its history, the World Museum has been shaped by visionary curators and innovators who have left an indelible mark on its collections and visitor experiences:

• In 1884, the museum pioneered a groundbreaking schools-loan service, circulating boxes of exhibits to local schools – a first for any museum at the time. 
• The museum’s Natural History Centre, opened in 1987, was the first hands-on center in a museum, setting a precedent that would be imitated globally. 
• In 1970, the museum unveiled the UK’s first planetarium outside of London, further enhancing its educational offerings. 

These innovations, along with the tireless efforts of curators and staff, have ensured that the World Museum remains a dynamic and engaging institution, constantly evolving to meet the needs of its visitors.

To truly appreciate the World Museum Liverpool, one must experience it firsthand.

Come and visit us, we don’t bite…

…even our dinosaurs 😉

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