Shaftesbury is one of the finest picturesque market towns of Wessex. The hilltop setting that we admire today has provided an important location for those who have lived here through the ages.
The heritage of the town goes back to 880 when King Alfred founded Shaftesbury as a fortified settlement c.880. Eight years later he established a Benedictine nunnery here which flourished and dominated the town and countryside, bringing wealth and prestige.
Shaftesbury served as a bustling market for farms in the surrounding country and this activity continued long after the demise of the Abbey in 1539. With increasing travel between London and the West Country, the town thrived as a staging point on the route.
Today, Shaftesbury has retained its essence and remains a vibrant market town rooted in tradition. This project will enable us to tell the story of this ancient town in an historic building.
Gold Hill 2007
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This project is designed to ensure that Gold Hill Museum tells the story of Shaftesbury to residents and visitors using objects from our collection and passive and interactive display techniques. The current buildings are listed and owned by the Shaftesbury & District Historical Society.
The Shaftesbury & District Historical Society (who own the museum), in collaboration with local schools and other heritage bodies in Shaftesbury, has identified a requirement for expansion of workspace for presentations and storage for objects and archives to support the research and education needs of residents and visitors. The Museum has the expansion capacity and provides an ideal location.
The project will widen the understanding of our heritage through improvements to visitor & volunteer facilities; exhibitions throughout the museum; access for research and education through the use of the archive and library; and create a workspace for group visits in particular educational use. We will also be able to more effectively carry out urgent maintenance work to our buildings.
Proposed Project Time Schedule
(Subject to change) |
December 2009 |
Submit Stage One grant application to
Heritage Lottery Fund
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January 2008 to September 2009 |
Continue to raise Partnership Funding for the project |
June or September 2009 |
Submit Stage Two grant application to
Heritage Lottery Fund |
January 2010 |
Start work on the building |
September 2009 |
Launch of new museum |
As of 18 November 2008, £100,000 has already
been raised from local sources
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For further details about this project please email Anna McDowell or write to the address below.
If you wish to make a contribution, please send your cheque payable to the Shaftesbury & District Historical Society to:
Gold Hill Museum Improvements Project
Gold Hill Museum & Garden
Gold Hill
Shaftesbury
Dorset
SP7 8JW
To pay by Gift Aid please download this form.
We thank you in anticipation for your support.
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