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Wrexham’s new museum needs a name!

Construction work is now underway to transform the 167-year-old County Buildings in Wrexham city centre into a brand new national attraction, not just for Wrexham but for all of Wales.

he new museum will be the home of the Wrexham Museum and Football Museum Wales Galleries.

Two names have been shortlisted for the new museum based on audience research across Wrexham and Wales as a whole, and now it’s your turn to choose your favourite.

This isn’t just a yes or no—each name has a unique story and meaning behind it.

Option 1: Tŷ Hanes

The name “Tŷ Hanes” means “History House.” It’s a welcoming place to explore the history of Welsh football and Wrexham. The name makes it feel cosy, like a home full of stories to be told.

Option 2: Histordy

The name “Histordy” combines “histor” from the word history and “stordy” meaning storehouse in Welsh. In Welsh, words ending in “-dy” often mean special places, such as archifdy (archives), injândy (engine house), or goleudy (lighthouse). Histordy is easy to pronounce for both English and Welsh speakers.

Take a moment to consider the ideas and inspiration behind each name, then let us know what you think by filling in this short questionnaire.

Be part of a historic moment

Councillor Paul Roberts, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Partnerships, said: “With new, state of the art galleries and a fully refurbished and extended building, the museum will be a new national attraction for Wrexham, drawing thousands of visitors from all over Wales and beyond.

“Construction work has been progressing well on site over the last few weeks and there’s a real buzz growing around the project as the scale of the ambitious plans for this new museum are becoming visible.

“We are now asking the public to helps us choose an overall name for the museum that will encompass the Wrexham Museum and Football Museum Wales galleries, the shop and the cafe, the entire attraction.

“The new name will help give the new museum a distinctive identity, drawing together everything on offer under its roof, as well as launching a new chapter in the life of one of Wrexham’s most iconic buildings.

“We invite everyone to complete the questionnaire and be part of this historic moment.”

A name to reflect our nation’s pride

Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, said: “It is an exciting time for Welsh Government, to be funding this new museum. In choosing its name, not only are we labelling a building but we’re giving a home to the history, memories and future stories of Wrexham and Welsh football.

“Whether it’s ‘Tŷ Hanes’ or ‘Histordy’, each name reflects our nation’s pride to preserve its diverse history. Your voice will shape this museum’s legacy – please give your views and be part of a new chapter in Wales’ rich story.”

Discover more about the new museum

The Museum is being developed by Wrexham Council’s museum team in association with museum designers, Haley Sharpe Design, architects Purcell and contractor SWG Construction.

Funding support for the new museum is provided by Wrexham Council, Welsh Government, National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government and the Wolfson Foundation.

Find out more about the Museum of Two Halves project

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A landmark display on museum forecourt

The latest display on the museum forecourt is a series of artworks by north Wales’s landscape artist, Mikey Jones.

Mikey Jones rose to prominence with his ‘Wrexham Skyline’ mural which was exhibited at the old Wrexham Arts Centre and reminded people of the town’s urban heritage. Since then his paintings in oils of landmarks and landscapes across north Wales have been in high demand with local residents, ‘exiles’, visitors and art collectors.

Wrexham Museum approached Mikey Jones to see if he would be willing to let us reproduce some of his paintings of landmarks in Wrexham County Borough for display on the museum forecourt and were thrilled when he agreed.

Mikey Jones told the museum “I love painting scenes of Wrexham and the surrounding area. There’s so much beauty and interesting history that still feels relatively untouched by previous landscape painters. This opportunity and freedom to promote what we have in our part of the world has always excited me.

I have been painting scenes of the local area for over ten years now and the positive change in people’s attitudes towards Wrexham based art in recent years linked to the success of Wrexham AFC and a general growing of confidence in the community is fantastic. More and more people now want Wrexham based art up on the walls!

I was delighted to work with Wrexham Museum in producing a very public display showcasing my paintings of local landmarks on the external boards in their courtyard, to celebrate our local architectural and natural landmarks.”

While the likes of JMW Turner and Louise Rayner may only have briefly halted in Wrexham to paint, visitors can appreciate how much of the area Mikey Jones has explored and captured in oils over the past decade in the chosen works on display.

Well worth seeing up close

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said: “Mikey is a hugely popular local artist so we’re delighted to be able to present a selection of his best works right here in the city centre for all to enjoy. There is a warm affection and attention to detail in Mikey’s iconic paintings of Wrexham’s landmarks that really resonates with local people. They are well worth seeing up close so I would encourage everyone to pop in to the museum’s forecourt on their next visit to the city centre and take a look.”

The exhibition will remain on display until March 2024.

Wrexham Museum, Courtyard Café and Archives are now closed to the public as part of the project to redevelop the building into a ‘Museum of Two Halves’ – a new football museum for Wales, alongside a fully refurbished and enhanced Wrexham Museum.

Visitors can still access the forecourt to view the exhibition.

Find out more.