AN EXCITING new era has begun for the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton which reopened this week following a £650,000 overhaul.
The massive refurbishment has been six years in the planning stage and has taken eight months to complete.
The museum reopened to the public on Monday, following a morning reception for specially invited guests.
The museum ? built in 1811 and once the town?s grain mill ? incorporates displays covering every aspect of the life and work of the people of Dartmoor down the centuries.
Museum curator Maurie Webber said she was delighted with the amazing renovation at the museum.
She said: ?As always with these kind of things you think they will never happen, but it has and I?m thrilled.
?I?m particularly pleased with the interactive displays as they bring the museum to life.?
Among the many interactive displays and exhibits are a recreation of a Bronze Age hut, a mine shaft sculpture, two 13th century bells with an Okehampton connection and a bas-relief depiction of Baldwin de Brionne, one of the knights of William the Conqueror, who founded Okehampton Castle.
The improvements to the building off West Street include a new lift, a state-of-the-art exhibition gallery, a fully equipped public research room as well as refurbished toilets for visitors and staff.
There is also improved access to a large archive of documents, photographs and research material and the museum, a Devon Service Record Point, holds family history records on microfiche.
Ms Webber said: ?With all the improvements, I am delighted to say the museum still hasn?t lost its character from its time as a grain mill.
?Many of the cobbles which have been relaid to make them wheelchair-friendly are throughout the ground floor and areas of the courtyard and the installation of a lift make the whole museum accessible to all.?
Barry Gamble, who designed the museum?s new look, said he was pleased with the way the museum made the best of its wide range of exhibits.
?The Bronze Age hut is one of many favourites. We involved archaeologists in the construction to make sure it?s all absolutely correct. I think it is going to be great for children,? he said.
Mrs Rose Young, chairman of Dartmoor Museum Association, whose late husband John was founder of the museum, carried out the opening.
She said ?how proud? her husband would have been to see how the museum had grown since it first opened in 1981.
As part of the opening ceremony schoolchildren from Okehampton Primary School released more than 100 colourful balloons into the sky.
Each of the balloons will be tagged and there is a surprise in store for the person who finds the one furthest away from the museum ? they will win a de luxe food hamper, donated by Waitrose.
The major funding package for the museum works has come from several bodies, including West Devon Borough Council, which gave £25,000 towards the project.
Grants also came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Union Objective 2, South West Regional Development Fund and Dartmoor National Park Authority, along with a number of local charities.
While Maurie Webber is the curator, all other helpers at the museum are volunteers and if anyone is interested in helping they are asked to call in or telephone 01837 52295.