Wool-I-Am has been the face of Ipswich Museum for generations. However, the 2022–2026 redevelopment required extensive structural work, including raising gallery floors to improve accessibility and installing a new lift.

 The mammoth presented two primary logistical hurdles:

-     Unlike smaller artifacts, the mammoth model is a large, fixed-position exhibit. Its tusks were not originally designed to be removed, and the sheer volume of the specimen made it impossible to move via standard exits during the "shell and core" construction phase.

-    The site was transformed into an active construction zone with significant dust, vibration, and fluctuating humidity levels—all of which are hazardous to heritage models.

 The relocation was executed in two distinct phases:

Phase I: The "Swaddling" Process

Before any masonry or carpentry began, conservators to "mothballed" the exhibit in situ:

-          The mammoth was wrapped in Tyvek (a breathable, pH-neutral material) and high-density foam to shield against impact and debris.

-          A bespoke "birdcage" scaffolding structure was built around the exhibit, topped with heavy-duty tarpaulins and boarded walls to create a dust-proof micro-environment.

Phase II: The Relocation

-          Because floors had been levelled and new internal walkways created, the path was mapped to ensure weight distribution across the newly reinforced flooring.

-          We utilized heavy-duty skates and team strength to glide the mammoth into its new position.

Wool-I-Am is now safely wrapped up out of the construction teams way, ready to be rehoused in the new Gallery.