Ely Museum is delighted to have been awarded a National Lottery grant of £1.66 million for the Unlocking the Potential of the Old Gaol: Ely Museum Redevelopment Project. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the project will rejuvenate Ely Museum and make it a fantastic destination for local people and visitors to the area.
This grant award means that Ely Museum’s ambitious £2.2 million project will now go ahead, beginning in 2019. Alongside the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant, the museum has received support from a number of local and national trusts and foundations, East Cambridgeshire District Council, City of Ely Council, and has been delighted by the donations and enthusiasm of local people.
The project aims to transform the museum over the next two years and to work more closely with local communities. The museum will become a heritage hub for locals and tourists, introducing them to the history of the area. New galleries, a series of events and exhibitions and improved visitor facilities will create an exciting destination for local families, schools and visitors to the museum, while resources and trails will encourage people to explore the district further.
The project will include the renovation of the historic ‘Old Gaol’ building on Market Street and the redisplay of the collections within it. Schools visiting the museum will benefit from improved facilities and exciting new opportunities. Storage for the museum’s collections will be improved to safeguard local heritage for the future.
Commenting on the award, curator Elie Hughes said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this transformational grant thanks to National Lottery players. There will be lots of opportunities for the community to get involved with events and activities, volunteering opportunities and consultation. It’s a very exciting time for everyone in Ely!”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of HLF said: “Museums are vital to our understanding of the past, and with the support of the National Lottery, the people of Ely will have a wonderful asset on their doorstep in order to discover the rich heritage of the cathedral city.”
Press release from Ely Museum
