Colchester Museums is delighted to announce an award of £228,850 from The Museums Estate and Development Fund (MEND).
MEND is a Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) programme delivered in partnership with Arts Council England (ACE), funding museums across the country to carry out urgent maintenance backlogs.
This funding, as well as a significant contribution from Colchester City Council, will pay for vital repairs to Hollytrees Museum. The roof of the Grade I listed building needs work to prevent water damage and access issues. Thanks to these repairs, Colchester Museums can ensure the continued safety of its important collections, including Bernard Mason’s fascinating collection of Colchester clocks and offer a warm welcome to its many visitors.
Built in 1718, Hollytrees House was once home to Charles Gray, an attorney, a Justice of the Peace and a Member of Parliament for Colchester. The Georgian townhouse was converted into a museum in 1929, nearly 100 years ago. Today, the much-loved museum is free to visitors all year round and is also visited by many local schools.
Hollytrees Museum welcomes approximately 40,000 visitors per year, and houses Colchester’s Visitor Information Centre.
Councillor Pam Cox, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, said: “Colchester Museums would like to thank DCMS, Arts Council England, and Colchester City Council for their generous support of this project, as we continue to protect and preserve the beautiful and historically important Hollytrees Museum for future generations to enjoy.”
Page last reviewed: 20 March 2023