TWO Leicester libraries are gearing up for a special Arctic visitor as part of a new Doorstep Museum roadshow.
Inka the animatronic polar bear will be making a special appearance during the new events, which aim to bring a specially curated collection of Leicester Museums’ natural history artefacts and exhibits into local communities.
The first Doorstep Museum event will take place at St Barnabas Library, on French Road, on Saturday 10 February from 11am-4pm.
Along with walkabout performances from the life-size polar bear, visitors will be able to explore the Leicester Museums’ Cabinet of Curiosities. This brings together objects and artefacts from the natural world – including a 6-million-year-old fossil, a croc in a box, and a collection of insects – in a similar way to how explorers and collectors would have done hundreds of years ago.
There will also be stay and play activities, arts and crafts and storytelling sessions, all with an environmental and natural history theme.
The Doorstep Museums will then move to the BRITE Centre, on Braunstone Avenue, on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 February, from 11am-4pm.
As well as all of the above objects, activities and attractions, visitors to the BRITE Centre will have a chance to see Peppy the Polar Bear, the famous Fox’s Glacier Mints mascot and one of the best-known and most asked about objects in Leicester Museums’ collection.
The Doorstep Museum events are completely free of charge and have been organised as part of Leicester Museums’ National Portfolio (NPO) programme, funded by Arts Council England, in partnership with Leicester libraries.
Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on culture, economy and climate, said: “Leicester’s museums have been instrumental in inspiring people about natural history and the environment for generations. These new Doorstep Museum events will extend that into local communities by bringing inspiring objects and activities into local libraries for people to explore and enjoy right in the heart of their neighbourhoods.”
For more information visit www.leicestermuseums.org/whats-on