Lord Mayor Rob Wood takes a tour of Portsmouth Museum after new Covid-19 safety measures are put in place
HISTORY and art lovers have been urged to visit Portsmouth Museum by the mayor after a raft of safety measures were put in place to promote social distancing.
It comes after the free attraction in Museum Road received a special visit from the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, councillor Rob Wood, and Lady Mayoress Debbie Wood on Friday.
The pair were given a walkthrough of the extensive efforts taken to make the venue Covid-19 secure, which have earned it the national We're Good to Go standard for coronavirus-safe attractions.
Part of the tour saw them introduced to exhibitions D is for Dodo, E is for Extinct and Portsmouth Revisited II.
The former explores the fate of several species lost to extinction and other British wildlife threatened by it.
A very rare dodo skeleton – one of only 12 in existence – is its jaw-dropping centrepiece.
Cllr Wood said: ‘The dodo was the top of my list and the whole of that exhibition is fascinating because of the way museum staff have combined various species.
‘Having looked at what they’ve done to make sure the museum is accessible, I can only commend them.'
Portsmouth Revisited II celebrates the way Portsmouth has changed since 1900 and charts its evolution in art.
‘I’m totally fascinated by local history as many people will be and something like this is going to appeal widely because nostalgia is huge,’ said Cllr Wood.
‘This museum is ready to go and people should come and support it. It’s fascinating.’
Sanitising stations, a one-way system, a screen at the front desk and extra barriers to prevent contact with exhibits have all been newly introduced at Portsmouth Museum.
Meanwhile a greeter now works at the museum’s front door to operate the track and trace scheme and maintain a 35-visitor capacity.
Collections registrar Katy Ball said: ‘We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved here and it feels like it’s been quite a long journey.
‘But really, we haven’t had to make massive changes to make the museum safe and when people visit they’ll see it’s still a great visit – with a few additional measures.
‘It’s been lovely to have the lord mayor here and it’s great to have the support of people spreading the word and getting others to come and visit us.’
The museum and its shop are open from 10am to 5.30pm between Tuesday and Sunday, with last entry at 4pm.
Visitors must now wear a face mask or covering inside.