The Silesian Museum has finished the second stage of the former „Katowice” coal mine’s extension. Old main bathhouse and woodworking shop from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries were turned into modern exhibition facilities.
In May the institution opened the woodworking shop. The specially-designed ground floor features an open space for artists and a mobile infrustructure for spectacles and performances. The „In search of Tomek” exhibition is located on the first floor. This is a space where children are invited to an educational adventure inspired by the travel stories of Alfred Szklarski. They can try to clear up the mistery of disappearance of Tomek Wilmowski, the hero of Szklarski’s books.
The second building, newly opened this month, is the old coal mine’s main bathhouse. The new exhibition space was inaugurated with an exhibition prepared by the Archeology Department of the Silesian Museum entitled „It all began with a seed… The history of cultivated plants.” According to the institution, the heroes of the exhibition are cultivated and useful plants which have not only supplied food for entire nations, but also changed the face of the world, influencing people’s free time, the course of military operations and the development of industry.
Also, two historic woodworking machines were renovated within the extension project and are presented to the visitors. Thanks to the funding used for this investment, purchase of professional equipment for the digitalization of the museum resources was made. Eleven studios for substantive work, parking for coaches and landscaped area of 1,3 hectares were provided within the project as well.
The whole undertaking cost PLN 30 million and was conducted with the financial support of Norwegian funds and funds from EEA, including funds from Iceland and Liechtenstein as well as with the help from the city hall of Katowice, Silesian voivodeship and national agencies. The Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) was a partner of the Silesian Museum in this project.
