TBM Staff - Mumbai
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad City Museum, Mumbai’s oldest museum, is set to reopen on Republic Day, January 26, 2025, following a 3-year closure for extensive restoration. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invested INR 6 crore in repairing the iconic 167-year-old structure, primarily addressing severe leakage issues that threatened its precious artefacts. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani remarked, “The restored building will represent the heritage of Mumbai.”
Originally opened in 1857 as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the institution chronicles Mumbai’s history through original artefacts, maps, documents, statues, and images. Renamed after Dr Bhau Daji Lad in 1975, the museum is housed in the first colonial building in Bombay built specifically as a museum. While no new items will be added to the collection, this restoration preserves the building’s historic significance.
BMC officials emphasised the delicate nature of the repairs, which aimed to restore the museum without compromising its original structure. The last significant restoration, carried out between 2003 and 2008, earned the museum UNESCO’s 2005 Award of Excellence for Cultural Conservation. This latest effort ensures the preservation of the museum’s legacy for future generations.
Closed during the pandemic, the reopening marks a significant moment for Mumbai’s arts and culture scene. The museum, a testament to the city’s history and heritage, now stands revitalised, ready to welcome visitors once again.
