The Grade II-listed Tewkesbury Museum has been awarded a £367,027 grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Cultural Investment Fund.
Located in the centre of town, the 'time capsule' of a building is brimming with unique local records from Roman times to the 1950s, but has started to show its age, with recent deteriorations leading to its addition to the UK list of 'at risk' buildings in 2022.
With the after effects of the Covid-19 pandemic being felt keenly by historic cultural attractions, the new round of funding is being made available to boost local economic growth in the arts and media sector, as well as improving access to collections for generations to come.
Tewkesbury Museum is one of only seven in the south west to receive the funding, which is being delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the government, with 70 venues throughout the UK receiving a share of £58.8 million in total.
Notable collections include artefacts from the Battle of Tewkesbury; Antarctic Explorer Raymond Priestley; and the Fairground History and Model Collection.
The museum hopes to focus on making all visitors and volunteers feel comfortable to enjoy the extensive range of artefacts and exhibitions, but most importantly, the grant money will help fund the work needed to relieve the museum of its ‘at risk’ status.
Phil Gibby, Arts Council south west area director, said: 'It is fantastic to see so many of our treasured regional museums and local library services announced as recipients in this latest round of Cultural Investment funding from the government.
'At the Arts Council, we believe in the power of creative and cultural experiences and we are passionate about more people having access to a range of excellent arts, culture and creativity right on their doorstep – so we’re delighted that these museums, libraries and venues are helping us to make that happen.'
Tewkesbury Museum is located on Barton Street and is free to visit.
