What is happening at Poole Museum?
The "Our Museum: Rediscovering Poole's Maritime Heritage" project has been awarded funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to transform Poole Museum into a major attraction and community hub.
About the Heritage Fund
National Lottery Heritage Fund grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. BCP Council has initially been granted round one development funding of £325,200 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans.
Detailed proposals are then considered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund at a second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £2.4m.
What does the project involve?
Poole Museum’s audiences have doubled since its last redevelopment in 2007 and has outgrown its existing spaces and visitor facilities. This project will enable the museum to meet the growing demand and build on its success in a sustainable way.
The project aims to conserve and open up the nationally significant medieval Town Cellars (the ‘Wool Hall’). Additionally, a new maritime gallery will tell stories of Poole and the Sea from the ancient times to today and will be developed by, with and for visitors to the museum.
Next steps
We will be submitting a ‘Round 2’ application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in September next year for an additional grant.