The Brunel Museum is to welcome Katherine McAlpine as its newest Director in January 2021.
The museum tells the story of the first tunnel to be built under a river anywhere in the world – an engineering feat which was once acclaimed as the eighth wonder of the world. The tunnel itself currently houses TfL’s Overground rail crossing between Rotherhithe and Wapping, but was originally a site of entertainment for Victorian Londoners. The Brunel Museum continues in that vein by hosting live music, opera, theatre, cabaret and cocktail evenings in and around the Grade II* listed tunnel shaft.
Katherine McAlpine said: “I am so excited to be taking on the role of Director at the Brunel Museum. 2020 was such a challenging year across the board, including for small museums like ours, but we’re looking ahead to great things in 2021. The tunnel has such an illustrious history hosting entertainment for Londoners and we’re excited to continue that trend into 2021. Thanks to an Arts Council grant we’re also able to continue our work with those members of the local community who need us the most”.
Dana (Chair of Trustees) said: “Katherine brings the right balance between enthusiasm and experience – she has oodles of both! I am particularly pleased that Katherine has a priority to get our local community more involved with the museum and its activities and also developing our digital offer.”
The Museum is currently closed, due to local coronavirus restrictions. However we are working hard behind the scenes to welcome everyone back. You can take a virtual tour here: or support us by making a purchase from our online shop: .
The project has been made possible thanks to the Arts Council Culture Recovery Fund, The museum has been able to continue during the UK lockdown and plan for its reopening, thanks to emergency funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and Southwark Council. It has also seen generous supporters backing an ongoing Covid-19 Crisis Appeal set up by the museum’s Trustees, with the amount raised reaching nearly £5,000 in just 3 months.
