Salcombe Maritime Museum has received £34,580 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting new heritage initiative. Called the Dynamic Collections Project, it will focus on making the museum’s collection accessible to all, both online and within the local community. A primary aim of the project is to make a wider range of people aware of, and involved, with Salcombe’s rich maritime heritage.
The grant will fund the employment for one year of an Engagement Project Officer who will work with local schools, youth and community groups to create activity boxes, handling collections and workshop sessions. With the assistance of museum volunteers, the Project Officer will also make many items in the collection accessible online via the museum’s website and social media.
The museum’s bid for a grant from the Heritage Fund was supported by Salcombe Primary School, the Young Salcombe Centre, Salcombe History Society, South Devon AONB and the Kingsbridge Estuary U3a.
The new project will coincide with the museum’s 50th anniversary in 2024, which will be marked with a programme of events including an exhibition in the museum showcasing objects that tell the story of the museum co-curated by children from Salcombe Primary School and the Young Salcombe Centre.
Commenting on the award, Roger Barrett, the Museum Chair said:
“We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players as it gives a great opportunity to share our wonderful collection with a much wider audience. By reaching out to young people and local community groups we hope to foster local pride in the rich historical and cultural heritage of Salcombe and the surrounding area.”
Caroline Mercer, a trustee of the Young Salcombe Centre, said:
“We are delighted to hear that Salcombe Maritime Museum has received this support, which will directly impact on our young people. We have enjoyed building a partnership with the museum, over the last year, with regular youth club sessions involving museum staff, local people and artefacts. We look forward to building on this even more!”
Nicky Bailey, South Devon AONB’s Community Projects Officer, also welcomed the grant:
“This is such great news for the Museum at Salcombe and the many schools, residents and visitors who will benefit from the opportunity to get a better understanding of the town’s history. The cultural past of the South Devon has helped shape our protected landscape and it is important that these stories get told – we are looking forward to working with them on this fabulous project.”
About Salcombe Maritime Museum
The museum was first established in 1974 and since 1992 has occupied part of the Old Council Hall in Market Street (below the Salcombe Information Centre). A treasure trove of models, paintings, photographs and artefacts, it tells the story of Salcombe’s links with the sea from ancient times to the Second World War. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and is open every day, except Mondays, until the end of October.