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A large, historical, stone building with slim arched windows and a curved stone staircase leading up to two dark wooden doors at the centre. A domed grey roof at the top of the building has a white pole and a United Kingdom flag attached to it. There are wooden benches and black and gold plant pots at regular increments along the front of the building.
A large, historical, stone building with slim arched windows and a curved stone staircase leading up to two dark wooden doors at the centre. A domed grey roof at the top of the building has a white pole and a United Kingdom flag attached to it. There are wooden benches and black and gold plant pots at regular increments along the front of the building.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens Redevelopment

A once-in-a-generation transformation is taking place at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and the people of Sunderland are helping to shape it.

The Museum is undergoing a transformation with lots of exciting changes planned, including a new entrance through Mowbray Park and new galleries, social and community spaces – all reimagined with local people at the heart of the process.

Keep up to date with the latest news about the Museum redevelopment project, including behind the scenes updates and chances to get involved.

Get involved

Apply now
Two people are seen from a side-profile view against a dark background. In the foreground, a smiling person wears a yellow beret, glasses, a thick yellow knitted scarf, and a patterned pink jumper while holding up a smartphone to take a photo. In the slightly blurred background, another person with glasses, a patterned headwrap, and an orange scarf looks down toward the phone screen.

Museum Redevelopment Champions

Have your say on what stories we should tell, what object should be shown and how the Museum can feel welcoming and relevant to more people.

Deadline 26 July

Apply now

What’s coming up

The Museum won’t stop when the doors close!

During the redevelopment, we’re coming to you – in the community, at local venues and online. Below are just a few things to look forward to.

Mowbray Park Community Garden

Mowbray Park Community Garden

Open to the public as usual with a programme of events and activities

Museum on Tour

Pop-up collections at venues and events across Sunderland

Community co-created projects

Working together with the community on resource boxes, oral histories, gallery displays and more

Sunderland Stories on Tour

Workshops, courses and family sessions at community venues

Schools Outreach

Assemblies, resource boxes, workshops and online classroom resources

Hard Hat Tours

Behind-the-scenes access during the build

Volunteering opportunities

New volunteering roles across collections, learning and visitor services

Latest redevelopment news

New visuals released for Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens redevelopment

New visuals released for Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens redevelopment

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£500,000 additional funding secured towards Museum redevelopment
A view of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens as seen from across the lake in Mowbray Park. A pond with ducks and other birds in a park. On the other side of the pond is a modern building with a large glass dome. Tree branches with leaves hang over the top of the image. The sky is blue with white clouds.

£500,000 additional funding secured towards Museum redevelopment

Read more
Just the ticket - much loved museum scoops £5m National Lottery win
A view of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens as seen from across the lake in Mowbray Park. A pond with ducks and other birds in a park. On the other side of the pond is a modern building with a large glass dome. Tree branches with leaves hang over the top of the image. The sky is blue with white clouds.

Just the ticket - much loved museum scoops £5m National Lottery win

Read more
See & Do

What’s On

Explore the latest events and activities at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

See & Do

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens Redevelopment Project is funded by Sunderland City Council with investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wolfson Foundation and Friends of Sunderland Museums (FOSUMS).

Sunderland City Council logo
Friends of Sunderland's Museums (FOSUMS)