The Museum was closed now for the Winter at the end of October 2006. It reopened on 1st April 2006 - with normal hours: 10 to 4 each day Tuesday to Saturday every week - and will remain open until 31st October 2006.
Allerdale Borough Council (who are the trustees of the Trust that owns the Museum) continue to support the Museum while the Keswick Museum Steering Group progresses the development of the Museum into a vibrant self supporting attraction.
STOP PRESS Evelyn Glennie - world famous percussionist - plays Keswick's Musical Stones
Several special exhibtions are planned for 2006 including the Paul Cezanne Centenary Exhibition.
The Museum will continue to be stewarded by volunteers from Friends of Keswick Museum again under the "supervision" of Jamie Barnes who did wonderful work last year.
During the winter members of the Friends of Keswick Museum worked with Jamie and Peter on projects both to improve the present facility and prepare for the future. In particular to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Art Gallery extension in 1906.
Why don't you join the Friends? As well as supporting the future of the Museum both with your subscription and by adding to the growing band of people whose voice is being listened to about the developments, you will have the opportunity to be a Volunteer and to attend the Winter programme of lectures. More information.
In 2004,
Good Friday to 31st October, there were 17666 visitors (compared
with the previous annual average of 8-9000) and donations
were almost half as much again as the entry monies from previous years! Well
done Allerdale, Jamie, The Friends, the Volunteer Stewards and Keswick and her
visitors!
In 2005 we had slightly fewer visitors at 16216.
This is much better than expected from the experiences of other attractions.
Donations (which are essential to the continued free
opening) were 14% up on 2004!
Peter Fox (who is being paid by Allerdale) started as Project Manager in September 2004 reporting to the Steering Group. He is has done sterling work in liaising with the consultants and in preparing (with Steering Group members) alternative proposals.
Rural Regeneration Cumbria and Allerdale are sharing the cost of consultants - Jura Consultants - who have been working on viable options for the future of the Museum. They are refining the chosen option and preparing a Business Plan to enable funds to be raised for the redevlopment necessary.
The option being developed is based on the Steering Group's Vision of a multi-use heritage centre with space for local collection displays and national or international visiting exhibitions. There will be a well stocked shop and a refreshment facility. Also envisaged are spaces for heritage research (local and family history), demonstrations and for partners with mutually advantageous objectives.
It is anticipated that wider consultations with both Keswick and district residents and visitors and potential funding partners will start in 2006. There was an exhibition of the new plans in July 2006
Try the Museum's website www.allerdale.gov.uk/keswick-museum/
Other Keswick & District Museums
top Threlkeld
Home
26 August 2006