The Story Museum

In the center of Oxford, tucked away on a side street near Christ Church College, is a gem of a museum called the Story Museum. It is one of the most creative spaces I've ever seen.  It's a place that celebrates stories, the joy of reading, and the power that a good story has to teach, enlighten, and delight

The museum is a place for anyone who love stories and reading books.  There are so many magical places inside the museum: the extreme reading room, the bedtime story room, the Throne Room, Narnia, just to name a few. It's an amazing labyrinth of imagination and creativity that offers delightful surprises throughout for children ages 1 to 92!  It is well worth a visit but be warned: it is truly enchanting and you'll stay longer than you planned.

You'll find the Story Museum at Rochester House, 42 Pembroke Street, off St. Aldate's by Christ Church College

I love the lamps that say, "Speak Friend and Enter" 

I can't wait to see what happens next.  The museum has been evolving over the years we have been here and it just keeps getting better. Here's a brief timeline of the Museum:  

2003: Story Museum was established and started life as a ‘virtual’ museum 

2005: Educational outreach program were launched. Author events and workshops were introduced in schools and communities

2007: The first Alice’s Day was launched and coordinated by The Story Museum.  Since then Alice's Day has been held annually and it grows each year in popularity

2009: Acquired a permanent and dilapidated home in Pembroke Street

2010: Basic repairs were carried out and the teams moved in during winter

2011: Architects Purcell were appointed to renovate the space and the Museum acquired the Bodleian's antique printing presses (on loan) 

2012: Planning permission for a ‘cathedral of stories’ was submitted to Oxford City Council and the project was unanimously approved by Oxford City Council

2013: Building work began on the first chapter of The Story Museum’s transformation

April 2014: The Story Museum partly reopened with newly-refurbished spaces

May 2014: The new shop and cafe were opened.

The story will continue with more to come......