THE ASHMOLEAN Museum is to focus on its origins and charismatic founder as part of a special exhibition on his life.

 

When the Ashmolean was opened in 1683 by Elias Ashmole (1617–92), he wanted it to not just be a place for research and teaching but also as a place to entertain the public.

 

Ashmole’s vision laid the foundations for museums as they are known today, but his story is little known and now staff will stage a series of events to mark the 400th anniversary of his birth.

 

They will use a grant of £110,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Wolfson Fund to create a dramatic display in the large central gallery of the lower-ground floor, evoking the 17th century cabinet of curiosities.

 

The double-height space will allow the attraction to showcase important portraits of scientists and thinkers of the 17th century.

 

It will also display iconic treasures in a central location and bring out more of the founding collections into the larger space.

 

A display about the English Civil War will introduce Elias Ashmole’s connection to Oxford, while exploring

 

the political background of the period.

 

On Friday, May 19 historical interpreters will be in Broad Street to remind people what life was like under Charles I, then on the same night there will be a special Live Friday late opening at the museum to mark the 400th anniversary.

 

Dr Xa Sturgis, director of the Ashmolean Museum, said: "We have a number of exciting plans for Ashmole’s birthday which include a special edition of Live Friday, and a new gallery devoted to the founding collection which will open in the autumn.

 

"We hope that the people of Oxford and our visitors from around the globe will come to the Ashmolean throughout the year to celebrate Ashmole’s life and the profound contribution he made to the city of Oxford and beyond in establishing the world’s first public museum."

 

The new displays will highlight Elias Ashmole’s vision for the museum as a centre of practical research and learning, following the 'new philosophy' and scientific method of reasoning backed by philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon (1561–1626).

 

They will examine how this attitude transformed the Renaissance concept of 'cabinets of curiosities' into the modern museum, and will highlight other 17th century collections that shaped the creation of the Ashmolean.

 

Susan McCormack, director of public engagement at the Beaumont Street attraction, said staff would be celebrating the landmark anniversary with a series of events.

 

She added: "We want people to help us to celebrate.

 

"The Live Friday event will be a lot of fun - there will be actors dressed as prostitutes, jealous wives and soldiers.

 

"We think Oxford's key role in the civil war is a story which has not been told enough so we are working with Christ Church and the Bodleian to create a civil war app to direct people to key locations around the city.

 

"It's fascinating to think about the Ashmolean's origins and to help people discover them in this way."

 

Funding has come from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, run in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation.

 

The fund aims to provide capital funding for museums and galleries across England to renovate and improve the display of exhibits in permanent galleries and exhibition spaces.

 

The foundation is an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health,

 

education and the arts and humanities.

 

It has awarded over £800m to about 10,000 projects across the UK and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015.