Why the Dickens are they closing this museum now?

Charles Dickens: The author's former home and museum is closing for renovations
Lucy Osborne13 April 2012

The only museum dedicated solely to Charles Dickens is to shut for six months during the author's bicentenary year and the Olympic Games, causing outrage among fans.

The former home of the author in Camden, which holds more than 100,000 items such as manuscripts, rare editions, personal items and paintings, will close after Easter for renovation and reopen before Christmas.

Fans say that closing during Dickens's 200th birthday, when people around the world are celebrating his life and work, is a big mistake. A spokeswoman for the Dickens Fellowship said: "It seems ridiculous that so many people will be coming to London for the Olympics but that they won't be able to enjoy one of the world's most important centres for Dickens lovers."

Based in 48 Doughty Street, Camden, the museum is the author's only surviving London home. Two of his daughters were born there and some of his best-loved novels were written there, including Oliver Twist.

The closure comes amid widespread celebrations of the 200th anniversary of Dickens's birth, including an exhibition at the Museum of London and a forthcoming film of Great Expectations starring Helena Bonham Carter.

Dr Florian Schweitzer, director of the Charles Dickens Museum, apologised to those upset about the timing of the £3.2 million renovation. "In our opinion this is the best year to do it, because there will be many other Dickens exhibits available," he said. "When everything winds down we'll be back with more facilities and an even stronger offering." The refurbishment includes an expansion into the building next door to make the museum look more like it did when Dickens was alive.

Dr Schweitzer added that the museum would arrange pop-up collections around the country during the six months it is closed.

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