“A World leading maritime heritage destinaTion”
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, is a registered charity set up in 1984 following the closure of the Royal Dockyard at Chatham, marking the end of over 400 years of shipbuilding on the River Medway.
Chatham historic dockyard trust
Preserving maritime history
For over four centuries, the Dockyard has been at the heart of Medway’s community, and this remains the case today.
In the 40 years following its closure, we have played a key role in the wider regeneration of Medway addressing the significant economic challenges brought about by the Dockyard’s closure.
Today, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is an exemplar in heritage re-use and unique within the industrial heritage sector.
As a registered charity, our purpose
is set out as:
PRESERVATION
To set the benchmark in maintaining excellence in the sympathetic preservation and use of the Historic Dockyard, its buildings, ships and collections through diverse re-use. Excellence in management of the heritage environment and building use will remain essential in preserving the unique, award-winning, historic character of the site.
LEARNING
To engage the widest audiences in learning about the significance and role of the former Royal Dockyard at Chatham and its people in supporting the Royal Navy from sail to steam to nuclear power over a 400-year period.
Our Charity
As a charity that employs over 140 people, we aim to not only set the benchmark in maintaining excellence in the sympathetic preservation and use of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, its buildings, ships and collections through diverse re-use, but also to engage the widest possible audiences in learning about the significance and history of the former Royal Dockyard.
Our Work
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is much more than a museum and heritage site – it’s a place where over 100 businesses have chosen to locate, that over 400 people call home and where over 600 people study with the University of Kent and Mid Kent College.
We work in a number of different ways to fulfil our charitable objectives of preservation and learning. The majority of our operating income is generated through these charitable activities as well as a range of commercial trading activities.
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