Why donate?
“Unless we can have more open air museums and more concern, we just won’t be able to keep up with the destruction and most of the humbler past will be lost”
So said the Weald & Downland Living Museum’s Founder, Dr Roy Armstrong MBE in 1970.
The Weald & Downland Living Museum represents the history of ordinary people. It is not a history that received accolades or plaques, but it is equally important. Our founder believed that then and the Museum continues to believe that today.
As an independent Museum and registered charity (No: 306338), we are entirely self-funded and independent of core government funding. Funds are required to conserve the historic buildings and artefacts on site, and these come from visitors, members and supporters.
You can help us keep our past for future generations to enjoy with a donation to support our conservation projects.
Current conservation and restoration projects at the Museum:
- New archive storage system and learning space. This will form a more accessible archive and research space for our MSc students, and other school, university and community history groups. £50,000 (text ARCHIVE to 70480)
- Building from Lavant, roof re-tiling £10,000 (text LAVANT to 70460)
- Conservation work to the Museum’s Library 2nd Edition copy of Gerard’s Herbal: History of Plants £1,500 (text HERBAL to 70470)
Other ongoing projects include:
- Maintenance to the rural farming equipment that allows us to continue to showcase the traditional rural farming methods (text FARMING to 70490)
- Provision of equipment and care for our heavy horses (text HORSES to 70450)
Future conservation and restoration projects at the Museum:
- Stock fencing repair work £20,000
- Refurbishment of the Buildings Craft Gallery £15,000
- Bayleaf Tudor Farmstead, roof repairs £TBC
Ways to donate
Making a donation could not be simpler.
- Text to donate – You can text to donate £10 to the projects listed above with the codes in brackets as above, or for a general donation, text WDLM to 70450 to donate £10 towards our Museum overall conservation aims.
- Donate online via our website, you can choose the amount you wish to donate and even specify the project you would like to support.
- Get in touch – call the team on 01243 811363 or email fundraising@wealddown.co.uk to discuss your gift.
Thank you.
