Hidden down an Oxford side street and closed to the public since the 1920s, the walls of Rochester House have a lot of tales to tell.
And on September 11 and 12, people will be able to get a glimpse of what the future home of the Story Museum – which is set to open in 2014 - has tucked behind its wooden gates in Pembroke Street. Tours of the Story Museum site – which is made up of three linked buildings and a courtyard, with parts dating back to the 13th century medieval Jewish quarter of the city – will be open to the public as part of the Oxford Open Doors weekend.
Earlier this month, the Journal not a sneak preview of the building, which organizers hope will become a major cultural centre highlighting the importance of storytelling, with galleries, a public space, theatre, café, shop, storyteller’s studio, children’s play house and more.
Story Museum co-director Kim Pickens said: “"Philip Pullman describes Oxford as a place where windows open into other worlds. We want The Story Museum to have the most magical windows in the city – through which people of all ages can enter the famous stories that began here as well as those that have come here from all around the world.”
The museum site is made up of the Victorian Rochester House itself, part of which was listed as a pub in the 1846 Oxford Directory, and a postal sorting officer and telephone directory, as well as former Merton College student lodgings. An anonymous donor who contributed £2.5m allowed the Museum to purchase the property, and around £11m is need to refurbish and open the 20,000 sq ft site, which it is hoped will attract 100,000 visitors a year.
“When we discovered them the buildings were like something out of Sleeping Beauty, with ivy climbing through the windows and pigeons roosting on the stairs,” said Story Museum capital project director Tish Francis. “We’ve cleaned them up a bit since then but we thought people would like a peek inside before we wake the princess.”
The building will be open from 11am on September 11 and 12 for Oxford Open Doors weekend. Tours last for half an hour, and run until 5pm.
- More than 150 venues and events will be welcoming in the public during Oxford Open Doors weekend. The event, organised by the Oxford Preservation Turst, gives people the chance to discover the city’s hidden treasures and curious corners. These include Oxford Castle, which is giving visitors the chance to explore the Georgian Prison Wing and historic crypt in a new light, with music provided by Gaol House Rock. The Museum of Oxford and Town Hall is also holding guided tours, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and treasure trail. Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “Oxford Open Doors is a remarkable event which opens up a wide range of buildings to the public which most people won’t have seen before. The Museum of Oxford and the Town Hall are both unique buildings and the council is keen that more people get to know them and their role in Oxford’s civic history and modern life. I hope that many people will come along and take part in the activities and events that we are offering.” For more information about Open Doors visit www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk
