North Herts Museum is showcasing a new exhibition: 'What's in Store?' from 29 July – 21 September.

The exhibition explores the varied collection of objects that make up their expansive storage, as well as the ambition for the museum in the years ahead.

The exhibition comes at a pivotal moment following North Herts Council's recent acquisition of an industrial unit in Letchworth, to store everything not currently on display in the new museum.

The new £3 million building and redevelopment will ensure the museum retains accreditation status, enabling it to apply for grants and continue to host exhibitions, whilst also safely storing and safeguarding thousands of important, historical items.

North Herts Museum is "determined" they said in a statement, to keep its collections alive by showcasing various objects in exhibitions like this one, and also through temporary displays, social media, and by allowing certain collections to be borrowed – particularly by schools and care homes.

This exhibition demonstrates that what you see on display at a museum is just the tip of the iceberg of 'what's in store.' Visitors will not only see what kinds of items are stored, but also learn about what will happen in the future with the museum's vast collection – with estimates suggesting that over a million individual objects have been obtained since the founding of the Letchworth Museum (in 1914) and the Hitchin Museum (in 1939).

With such a varied catalogue, ranging from archaeological remains to vintage costumes, 'What's in Store?' offers a unique opportunity to understand more about all the different collections the museum cares for. The exhibition will be shown in 'The Arches' display area of North Herts Museum, in the upstairs Terrace Gallery.

Cllr. Tamsin Thomas, Executive Member for Enterprise said: "The 'What's in Store' exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for the public to understand the scale and significance of what we have behind the scenes. The new facility and this exhibition demonstrate our ambitious commitment to preserving and sharing our district's remarkable heritage. We invite visitors to celebrate this by coming along to see how much more there is to discover!"

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North Herts Museum is located on Brand Street, Hitchin, SG5 1JE, and open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4.30pm, and Sundays, 11am to 3pm. Admission to the museum is free.

The museum has a café with a range of drinks, savoury and sweet snacks, and light meals.

For more information check out @northhertsmuseum on Facebook and Instagram, visit the North Herts Museumwebsite or call 01462 474554.