More galleries at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery will reopen on Saturday 24 October, with new displays and activities planned for the half-term break.
Visitors will again be able to enter the Local History, Archaeology and Staffordshire Hoard: Treasure of Mercia galleries.
The original Staffordshire Hoard objects will remain off display until redevelopment work is completed next year. The reopened gallery will instead explore Anglo-Saxon Staffordshire through replica treasures, an unfolded recreation of the folded cross, weaponry, material from the Hoard helmet project and other finds.
An immersive mead hall will use digital characters to tell stories about everyday Anglo-Saxon life.
New displays and learning space
Staffordshire Folklore: Stories, Beliefs and Legends from the Landscape will explore local myths and traditions. What's In Store? will show objects from the museum's collections that are not normally on public display.
A new learning space will host school workshops, family activities and holiday programmes, as well as artwork and projects from local schools and community groups.
Half-term dates
- Saturday 24 October: folklorist Eli Lewis-Lycett explores North Staffordshire legends, including Molly Leigh and the Chained Oak of Alton. Free, 2pm to 3pm.
- Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October: Create Your Own Clay Dragon drop-in workshops, recommended for ages seven and over. £3.60 per person, 10.30am to 3pm.
- Friday 30 October: Dragon's Realm Live! features a walking dragon, a baby dragon, storytelling and live animals. Free, 11am to 3pm.
- Saturday 31 October: a Diwali celebration with traditional music, dance and crafts. Free, 11am to 5.30pm.
The council said visitors should use the café entrance beside the Spitfire Gallery.
The reopening is part of the museum's £5 million redevelopment, delivered by Seddon with Cultural Development Fund support through Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.