Yorkshire Museum receives a lifeline grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for external restoration

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Yorkshire Museum receives a lifeline grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for external restoration

DATE: 19 March 2021

The Yorkshire Museum has received a financial boost from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help fund repairs during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lifeline grants from the Culture Recovery Fund are designed to protect heritage sites and ensure that jobs and access to culture and heritage in local communities are protected during the months ahead.

The Yorkshire Museum has been awarded £18,000 for essential restoration and repair work to the principal façade of the museum and adjacent areas of the roof. The grant comes at a crucial time as the four Doric columns have shown signs of deterioration. It will fund a high-level inspection and allow us to make holding repairs to prevent further deterioration whilst full restoration plans are prepared.

Grants of up to £25,000 are being allocated to cherished heritage sites, like the Yorkshire Museum, across the country to cover urgently needed maintenance and repairs. This vital funding comes from a part of the Culture Recovery Fund called the Heritage Stimulus Fund and is administered on behalf of the government by Historic England.

As well as rescuing precious heritage buildings in need, the injection of cash will protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors working in the sector.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities. We’re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it’s there for future generations to enjoy.”

The Yorkshire Museum has played an important role in York since it opened in 1830, as one of the earliest purpose-built museums in the country. The Grade I listed building houses some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasures from the city’s Roman, Viking and medieval past as well as a nationally significant natural sciences collection.

Charlotte Kindesjo, Head of Fundraising and Communications at York Museums Trust said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding from the Culture Recovery Fund. The Yorkshire Museum is part of York’s fascinating history, and the grant will help us retain the architectural detail and importance of the much-loved building.

“Having the survey and initial repairs will make a significant difference to the restoration work required and will allow us to welcome visitors safely when we reopen.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive said: “Historic places across the country are being supported by the Government’s grants awarded under the Culture Recovery Fund. This funding is a lifeline which is kick-starting essential repairs and maintenance at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of COVID-19.

“It is also providing employment for skilled craft workers who help keep historic places alive and the wheels of the heritage sector turning. Our shared heritage is an anchor for us all in these challenging times and this funding will help to ensure it remains part of our collective future.”