Tate Hall museum reopens after five years
It closed during the pandemic due to roof restoration
An historic Liverpool hall is back open today for the first time in five years.
The Tate Hall Museum, located within the University of Liverpool's Victoria Gallery and Museum, was closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and needing essential roof work.
But it's now welcoming visitors again, with the opening of 'Lightbulb Moments' - an exhibition exploring the origins of some of Liverpool's greatest ideas.
It will run through to autumn 2027 and displays 150 objects - from archeological finds and scientific tools to puzzles and literature.
Steve Slack, Lightbulb moments' curator, said:
"Throughout history, Liverpool has been a hub of innovation, and this exhibition celebrates the city’s role in fostering great ideas. By weaving together historical and contemporary contributions from Liverpool’s thinkers, creators and visionaries, Lightbulb moments aims to inspire the next generation of innovators.
"The exhibition reinforces that anyone—from scientists and artists to students and museum visitors—can experience a moment of insight that changes the world.
"As the Tate Hall Museum reopens its doors, Lightbulb moments invites visitors to step inside, be inspired and perhaps even experience their own flashes of brilliance. After all, there’s no better place to have a great idea than in a museum."
Dr Matt Greenhall, Director of Libraries, Museums and Galleries, University of Liverpool, added:
"The reopening of Tate Hall Museum is a momentous occasion. After five years of careful building restoration, it will be wonderful to see this historic space welcoming visitors once again. Lightbulb moments is the perfect exhibition to mark this new chapter, celebrating both the University and the city as a hub of innovation and great ideas.
"The exhibition features unique objects and documents from the University’s significant heritage and cultural collections, alongside the work of our academics, students and city partners.
"As we developed the exhibition, we worked closely with our local community—and we’re excited to continue welcoming them into a space designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and conversation. We look forward to Tate Hall Museum being a space where great ideas are showcased, shared, and created!"
Steve Burgess, Head of Exhibitions at The National Archives, said:
"I'm really excited to see Lightbulb moments and delighted that it was inspired by Spirit of Invention.
"We're all happy here that we had a small part to play in your opening exhibition. I'm sure it will be very popular."