Campaign launched to turn Ian Curtis's home into museum devoted to Joy Division star

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Ian Curtis Museum could be created if plot to buy family home of Joy Division singer succeeds

In musical folklore, the Macclesfield home where Ian Curtis lived and died is rarely considered for its fittings or convenient location. When it went on the market for £115,000 last week, the two-bedroom terraced house, built during the late 1880s on Barton Street, was more notable for its double bedrooms and courtyard gardens than any link with the singer of Joy Division’s immortal songs.

If one buyer gets his way, though, the newly-fitted kitchen might not be needed. “Rather than it be taken by developers or sold for development, we feel a place with such cultural significance with such an important man attached deserves to be made into a museum and somewhere that Joy Division fans from around the world can come to pay respects and learn about Ian Curtis,” says Zak Davies, a fan of the band for “a good chunk of my life” whose campaign aims to raise £150,000, complete the purchase and return the interior of the cottage to the look it had in the 2007 Curtis biopic, Closer.

“It will raise awareness and educate future generations on the music and life of Ian Curtis and allow existing fans the experience to walk the same floorboards as the man himself. It will also bring tourism to the area of Macclesfield.

"The council will definitely agree to the project if we can put forward enough evidence that it will help the local area, which it will as Joy Division fans from around the world bring the tourism to us. If the council approve the renovation the local residents shouldn't be a problem as we then have the legal authority to do so. Also, after the build there should be no disruption to their day-to-day lives.

"As important as every member of Joy Division was to the band, one member that made the difference was Ian Curtis. The internet is such an amazing way to help us start sharing Ian Curtis and his museum.”

The campaign has raised more than £600 during its first four days, offering supporters rewards ranging from admission tickets to the chance to cut the ribbon.

Curtis committed suicide at the house in May 1980.

• Visit the campaign at Indiegogo. See joydiv.org for more pictures of the house.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk//history-and-heritage/historic-buildings/art517717-campaign-launched-to-turn-ian-curtis-home%20i-to-museum-devoted%20to-joy-division-star