Overview
The Box joins Plymouth's former city museum, central library and St Luke's Church in one arts, archive and museum centre. Its 2020 rebuilding kept three civic buildings while adding galleries, research rooms and a raised archive for collections gathered across the city.
What this place is
The Box is a joined museum, art gallery and archive made from Plymouth's former City Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library and St Luke's Church.
People and events
Plymouth City Council led the project, and residents first entered during preview days in September 2020 after the planned spring opening was delayed.
How it was used
The older buildings had served separately as museum, library and church; the new centre brought their collections, exhibitions, learning and research work together.
What survives
The old museum, library and church remain legible within new extensions, thirteen gallery and exhibition spaces, a public square and a raised archive store.
Why it mattered
The rebuilding kept Plymouth's civic collections in their home city while making records, art, archaeology and maritime history available in one connected place.
History checked 16 August 2026 against the named sources below.
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