'Vital role' of local museums praised by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP in Parliament
Harrogate’s MP has praised Knaresborough’s community-run museum in Parliament saying it has become an “anchor of the town” in a short period of time.
The work of community group Knaresborough Museum Association, The Knaresborough Heritage Centre only opened in late April 2024.
Since then it has launched a dazzling series of historical exhibitions, as well as playing a key role in the campaign to maintain and restore the crumbling site at Knaresborough Castle.
Speaking in a Local Museums Westminster Hall debate, Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, highlighted the vital contribution of small museums, emphasising their role in supporting communities, preserving local heritage and helping to revitalise town centres.
In particular, he highlighted local institutions such as Royal Pump Room Museum and Knaresborough Heritage Centre, hailing them as “community anchors”,
The MP also used the debate to call on the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism to back th3e campaign to restore Knaresborough Castle.
“Harrogate and Knaresborough’s rich heritage deserves to be protected,” said Mr Gordon.
"Our small museums play a huge role in preserving the stories and traditions that make Harrogate and Knaresborough unique.
“They deserve proper support from both central government and local authorities.”
Knaresborough Museum Association’s Kathy Allday welcomed the MP’s contribution, saying: “Knaresborough Museum Association run not only the Heritage Centre and its museum gallery, it also undertakes research into Knaresborough’s history and deliver an extensive community outreach programme for schools and hard-to-reach groups.
"We truly feel we are at the heart of the community, run by the community, for the community.”
Located at 12 High Street, Knaresborough, the journey to Knaresborough Heritage Centre began with Knaresborough Town Museum Group (TMG), which was set up in October 2019 to campaign for a Town Museum.
After successful pop-up exhibitions and a crowdfunding campaign, TMG was renamed Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) and registered as a charity in 2021.
Knaresborough Heritage Centre has a flexible gallery space for heritage exhibitions, talks, and workshops; a retail and reception area where visitors can find out about places to visit in Knaresborough and an office for KMA volunteers.
Information: https://knaresboroughtownmuseum.org.uk/