Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust secures £533,084 from Museum Renewal Fund
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is delighted to announce it has been awarded £533,084 from the Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund, providing vital funding to support the future resilience of The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
The Museum Renewal Fund, established by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and administered by Arts Council England, is a £20 million scheme designed to support regional museums with local authority links. It aims to safeguard public access to collections, strengthen community programmes and ensure museums remain resilient for future generations. The fund also enhances revenue generation, investing in organisational change and IT upgrades, whilst also supporting jobs in the local community.
In a challenging economic environment, the funding will help the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust upgrade IT systems, enhance our family programming, support short term financial pressures, and rebuild charitable reserves to support the ongoing preservation of the Dockyard’s unique historic estate.
Richard Morsley, Chief Executive, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said: “We are grateful to DCMS for recognising the Historic Dockyard with the Museum Renewal Fund. This support not only helps us navigate current financial pressures but, more importantly, allows us to invest in the preservation and reuse of our estate to ensure long-term sustainability. It enables the Dockyard to remain relevant and resilient, continuing to share its 400 year history with future generations.”
Lauren Edwards, MP, said: “I know how valuable this grant will be for the Dockyard, which remains one of our greatest assets – not just for local families, but for our local tourism and heritage economy. I’m really pleased that, following my letter encouraging their application, the Dockyard was successful in securing funding from the Arts Council. This support will play a vital role in securing the long-term prosperity of the site – helping to sustain its staff, facilities, and future exhibitions. Many thanks to the Arts Council England for recognising the Dockyard’s national historical and cultural significance.”
Since its establishment as an independent charity in 1984, the Trust has worked to preserve the internationally significant Historic Dockyard Chatham. The site is home to over 100 historic buildings, 48 of which are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, making it the most complete Dockyard of the Age of Sail in the world. Today, the Dockyard attracts around 170,000 visitors each year through its museum galleries, historic ships and cultural programming.
The Trust remains committed to its vision of being a world leading maritime heritage destination, putting audiences first and championing its strategy of “preservation through reuse.” This approach ensures the Dockyard is safeguarded for future generations and remains a place of learning, innovation and community connection
