£94,100 grant to release hidden treasures at Arundel Museum

Reaching Out – Arundel Museum for the Whole Community will see the extensive reserve collection of fascinating objects, photographs and stories liberated from the archives and stores.

The grant means these can now be thoroughly researched, digitised and prepared for use by a wide variety of audiences.

Suzanne Evans, education officer, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will reach out to individuals who are unable to visit the museum and make the very best use of the museum’s extensive collections.”

This project will enable the museum to improve the organisation and management of objects which are presently not see by the public.

It will see the creation of new events, displays and exhibitions and, in order to enthuse the wider community, the objects will be taken out to audiences who currently are not able to visit the museum.

Stuart McLeod, head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are delighted to help the museum take the next big step in telling the story of Arundel.

“From prehistoric hand tools to a collection of oral history recordings, this project, and the invaluable work of its volunteers, will open up a wealth of hidden heritage for the museum’s visitors and the wider community.”

Arundel Museum, in Mill Road, Arundel, is proud of its ever-growing volunteer workforce, whose members will continue to unravel the history of Arundel and its people through the Reaching Out project.

It will also give them the opportunity to learn new skills and share their knowledge with the public.

Arundel Museum Society was formed in 1962 and its volunteer staff has been serving the community ever since. In 2013, the new museum building was opened to the public, with help from the HLF, local councils and the community.

The unique displays tell the story of the people of the town, the countryside and river. During the Reaching Out project, the secrets hidden in archive boxes will no doubt reveal many more insights into the people of the area.

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