OFFICIALS at The Bowes Museum have been awarded £20,000 to carry out a survey into the condition of the iconic building.
Once the survey has been carried out, a five-year maintenance plan will be drawn up and a fundraising campaign launched to raise the money to pay for the necessary work.
The museum, which opened in 1892, is a Grade 1 listed building.
The survey money comes from the government’s Heritage Stimulus Fund which offers grants of up to £25,000 to heritage sites to cover the cost of urgently needed maintenance and repairs and is administered by Historic England.
The museum was last subject to a full condition report in 2004, ahead of reroofing the following year and further repair work that was completed in 2009.
The museum has appointed Ferrey and Mennim, from York, to begin work on the building survey this month, which will involve a full assessment of the fabric, stone and roof materials as well as the electrical and heating systems. Surveyors will also advise on ecological and environmental matters.
Alison Nicholson, The Bowes Museum’s funding officer, said: “In these challenging times for charities, cultural and arts organisations, the museum is delighted to have been awarded this grant from Historic England to undertake a building survey.
“This will enable us to continue to care for and conserve the magnificent Grade 1 listed building and keep the collections housed within safe and secure.
“The resulting five-year building maintenance plan will inform our future fundraising strategy to ensure the preservation of the building for generations to come.
“We are very much looking forward to working with Andrew Boyce from Ferrey and Mennim and developing a long-lasting relationship.”
The museum is currently closed due to the lockdown; however, its park and gardens are still open to the public, with the main gates open from 10am to 4pm daily. There are hand sanitisation stations and signage reminding people to adhere to social distancing in the grounds
