Weald & Downland Living Museum hits over £500k fundraising milestone to mark its 50th Anniversary

Posted: 23rd January 2020

Weald & Downland Living Museum hits over £500k fundraising milestone to mark its 50th Anniversary

Museum reaches over £500k of its £1m Heritage Endowment Fund target for the Golden Future Campaign. 2020 will mark 50 years since Weald & Downland Living Museum first opened its doors and it is celebrating with an ambitious fundraising campaign.

Since the launch of the campaign last autumn, the Museum has already received a contribution of £250,000 for its Heritage Endowment Fund. Crucially, the generous legacy gift has been match-funded by the Heritage Fund (formerly the Heritage Lottery Fund) taking the total to over £500,000. Weald & Downland Living Museum is one of just fifteen national charities that has been awarded match-funding, which will help the Museum meet their £1m endowment target.

In addition, £27,000 of contributions have been donated to the Heritage Endowment Fund by individuals, trusts and foundations, all of which will be match-funded. There has also been a generous donation from the Sargent Charitable Trust for the Museum’s 50 Fund. 

Nicola Pratt, Fundraising & Development Manager, commented on the milestone: “The Golden Future Campaign is an ambitious project for Weald & Downland Living Museum, and reaching the halfway mark for our Heritage Endowment Fund is a huge step for the fundraising campaign. The funds raised will have a vast impact on the Museum for visitors, the local area and future generations. The campaign will enable us to enrich the visitor experience, improve facilities and underpin the protection of the buildings and artefacts in our care. I would like to personally thank all those who have supported the efforts to date and I hope it will inspire others to get involved.”

Funds raised will allow Weald & Downland Living Museum to make vital improvements that ensure the longevity of the Museum and safeguard its mission to preserve and restore important historical buildings. For generations to come, the Museum Endowment will provide a lasting legacy and build the foundation for a sustainable financial future while The 50 Fund has been developed for the ongoing conservation needs of the Museum’s collection of buildings. Other planned improvements include upgrades to access and public facilities and there are also plans to dismantle, conserve and rebuild the iconic Titchfield Market Hall.

The Golden Future Campaign runs throughout the 50th anniversary year in 2020 and will continue until the end of 2021 with a total fundraising target of £2m.

To find out more please visit www.wealddown.co.uk/goldenfuture