The news that the Natural History Museum is to begin moving specimens into its new £78m Darwin Centre, which will eventually hold 20 million items from its collection, is a huge boost for what many regard as one of the most out of touch of the Capital's museums.
While the blue whale and the iconic Dippy the Diplodocus skeleton that greets visitors are still amazing, the NHM has struggled to shed its image as a museum of glass cabinets, particularly with the Science Museum's ultra hi-tech displays just next door.
In its defence, it has tried.
The outdoor butterfly exhibits, the ice skating rink and the current Darwin exhibition show a new, open side to the museum, and one that is sorely needed.
On a recent tour of the Darwin centre, however, it's obvious that these changes are just the beginning.
The new building is light, airy and gives a real sense of seeing the NHM's 300 scientists at work.
In  September, when the public are allowed in, they will be able to see into the 'cocoon' at the heart of the centre, and see the museum's collection of 20 million specimens.
More importantly, they will be able to see the scientists at work, both in the cocoon and the glass fronted meeting rooms and labs in the surrounding building.
This is the key the 'new' Natural History Museum.
More than a museum, it is set to reinvent itself as a hub for scientific research, and more importantly, as a place to engage the public in this research. A small lecture theatre will see scientists coming out from behind their lab walls to speak to visitors, and (assuming they have some public speaking skills, of course) this could be the Museum's secret weapon. The researchers I have spoken to have all been incredibly switched on, and with the kind of enthusiasm that you only find in someone who truly loves their chosen field.
In letting these people loose on visiting schoolchildren, we may just see the Natural History Museum giving its neighbours a run for their money.