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Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum is an important regional museum located in The King's House, a magnificent grade I listed building in the Cathedral Close. The Museum’s archaeology collections are of international importance, including finds from Stonehenge, Salisbury and the surrounding area. We now need your help to transform the Museum’s archaeology displays, to help create a modern and exciting destination for tourists and the local community.

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Categories

  • Arts/Culture/Heritage Arts/​Culture/​Heritage
  • Sports/Recreation Sports/​Recreation
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other

    Situation

    The Museum was founded in 1860 and was for many years located in St Ann’s Street in the city. In 1981, following a successful public appeal, the Museum transferred to its present home, The King's House, a Grade I listed building in Salisbury Cathedral Close. The museum has a membership of over 800 people and has over 20,000 visitors per year. It organises a vibrant programme of temporary exhibitions and events for a wide range of audiences, from families to the elderly. The main strength of the Museum rests in its archaeological collections: these include prehistoric material from South Wiltshire, including Stonehenge; the Pitt Rivers' Wessex collection; and a fine medieval collection including finds from Old Sarum, Clarendon Palace and the city itself. On moving to The King’s House the Museum was able to develop eleven new galleries, eight for permanent displays and three for temporary exhibitions, with ancillary services to meet the needs of the remainder of the 20th century. In 2000, looking to the future, it began to upgrade its galleries. By 2002 the Temporary Exhibition Gallery and Stonehenge Gallery were renewed, the latter receiving a commendation in the Association for Heritage Interpretation ‘Interpret Britain Awards 2001’. The Museum now seeks to continue this redevelopment process with ambitious plans to redevelop all of its archaeology displays, which mainly date back to when the building opened in 1981. This will see the creation of: • A family orientated archaeology gallery covering the development of the local area from prehistory to the foundation of Old Sarum in 1220. • A new Stonehenge gallery – the Museum will be 'the' place to explore the significance of this iconic monument. Currently there is no interpretative centre at Stonehenge itself. • An interactive archaeology discovery zone based on the collection of pioneering archaeologist General Pitt Rivers. • ‘Open’ storage areas for the archaeology collections, where the public will be able to see what happens behind the scenes. We estimate that this project will cost £1.2 million. It is the first part of a scheme to regenerate the entire Museum to create a unique destination in south Wiltshire. Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity. We are supported through grants from Wiltshire County Council and Salisbury District Council. Revenue funding also comes through donations, membership and entry charges.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Arts/Culture/Heritage Arts/​Culture/​Heritage
  • Sports/Recreation Sports/​Recreation
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other