Visitor attraction in Harrogate district in amazing £2.5m boost from the National Lottery
Ripon Museums Trust is set to receive £2.5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the lottery’s 30th anniversary.
In total, more than £30 million will be offered across 15 new projects in the UK by The Heritage Funding, which aims to create jobs, widen the organisations educational programme, safeguard collections and have a positive impact on the community through new initiatives and partnerships.
As part of this, Ripon Museums: Inspiration for a Fairer Future project is to receive £2,573,493
Ripon Museums, comprising a Victorian Workhouse, a Georgian Prison, and a Georgian Courthouse, illustrates the history of poverty, crime, fairness, and justice in Yorkshire.
The "Inspiration for a Fairer Future" project aims to enhance visitor experiences, attract diverse audiences, and preserve local heritage.
It will focus on essential repairs at The Workhouse Museum and manage 8,700 artefacts from the Prison & Police Museum currently in storage.
Additionally, the project will unify interpretation and activities across the museums, continuing to act as a powerful learning environment, exploring the evolving history and modern context of social justice and the broader heritage of Ripon.
The intention is to engage with an additional 4,000 families and students through new trail proposals and visitor experiences.
In addition, Ripon Museums are also set to welcome more than 24,000 schools and learning organisations.
Alexa Vernon, Director of Ripon Museums Trust, said: “We have a bold mission here at Ripon Museum Trust - to use our heritage to inspire others to seek a fairer society.
"We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for this significant grant that will allow us to make a step change in realising this vision.
"As a result of this funding, we’ll safeguard the Victorian workhouse and our collection, create an engaging visitor experience and reach out to new audiences, while reflecting and exploring how we treat those who find themselves on the margins of society, both in the past and in the present day.”
The Ripon Workhouse is one of the most complete workhouses in the UK where visitors can see history come to life and meet fascinating characters.