St Albans Museum & Gallery has celebrated five years since it first opened to the public.

The St Peter's Street museum marked the occasion on Thursday (June 8), with a free birthday cupcake given to the first 100 guests on the day.

Festive decorations were also used to observe the milestone.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans Museum's 'Time for Tea' exhibition.St Albans Museum's 'Time for Tea' exhibition. (Image: Stephanie Belton)

St Albans Museum & Gallery first opened in June 2018 following a £7.75 million restoration project.

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Since then, almost one million visitors have enjoyed the site's exhibitions, events, activities, and Courtroom Café.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans Museum & Gallery's Henry Moore exhibition.St Albans Museum & Gallery's Henry Moore exhibition. (Image: Rob Harris)

According to the national and East of England regional Annual Museum Survey for 2022, the museum has contributed almost £2 million to the St Albans economy.

More than 50 exhibitions have graced the location's three floors, over the past five years.

Approximately 1,000 school children have also engaged in the museum's learning programmes.

Herts Advertiser: Visitors enjoying a birthday cupcake.Visitors enjoying a birthday cupcake. (Image: St Albans Museums)

St Albans Museums' arts, tourism, culture and heritage manager, Farhana Begum, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating this important milestone at St Albans Museum & Gallery.

"The venue has hosted an incredible range of exhibitions and events since it opened its doors five years ago and these have been enjoyed by an increasing number of visitors, which is wonderful to see.

“It is fascinating to look back but even more exciting to think of the upcoming projects in the works.

                                                                                            

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"We are looking forward to the next five years of St Albans Museum & Gallery which promise to be even more terrific.”

Herts Advertiser: St Albans Museum & Gallery employees enjoying a cupcake.St Albans Museum & Gallery employees enjoying a cupcake. (Image: St Albans Museums)

District ​​councillor Lynn Cunningham added: “I am incredibly grateful to the team at St Albans Museum & Gallery for their tireless commitment and hard work over the past five years.

"They are constantly bringing fascinating high-quality exhibitions to the city, attracting visitors from near and far which hugely benefits the local economy and helps to make St Albans a cultural hot spot.

“With recent recognition as a National Portfolio Organisation by the Arts Council England, providing access to additional funding, I am looking forward to many more thought-provoking and engaging experiences to be enjoyed at St Albans Museum + Gallery over the next five years.”

Further information can be found at www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk