Visitors will have a first chance to see the new-look Colne Valley Museum in Golcar on Saturday.
The museum in Cliffe Ash has undergone a big revamp thanks to a £719,000 Heritage Lottery grant.
Though still a “work in progress” the museum will throw open its doors as part of Golcar Lily Day celebrations.
The upper floor will be out of bounds as work on the roof has still be carried out and may not be completed until August.
But the lower floors – and the Spring Rock Tearooms – will be open to the public.
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The museum, housed in four former weaver’s cottages, is now taking shape as a step back to Victorian times.
A period kitchen now boasts a range oven, which dates back to the 1850s, and was installed by specialist Gordon Pickles from Skipton.
Visitors will also be able to explore a wash cellar and loom chamber.
A new exhibition gallery will also be open featuring work from Colne Valley Arts Society and there is a new children’s corner with traditional games and dressing up area.
Walls have been returned to their original colour and visitors will be able to watch a bread making demonstration with volunteers cooking up a Golcar Lily loaf.
Volunteers are proud of the results so far and publicity officer Anne Lord said they were excited to show it off.
“The idea behind the open day is to ask for feedback from the public,” she said. “We are still very much a work in progress but we would love to hear what the community thinks of what we’ve done so far.”
The tea room features the slogan: “It’ll never catch on in Golcar” which was the view of sceptics when the museum first opened in 1969-70.
Anne said: “The locals said the museum would never catch on and the professionals said we wouldn’t get anywhere without a curator and £20,000 in the bank.
“They said it would never catch on but that’s our slogan now.”
The museum will be open between 10am and 4pm and admission is free.
