The Spalding Gentlemen’s Society has received a £20,100 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help develop a strategy for its future.
HLF is supporting a thorough options appraisal to include a review of the existing building and its future viability for the collection and better public access. The grant will fund professional inputs from experts in the heritage sector.
Society president Prof Michael Chisholm said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“This project is a significant milestone in the society’s history and will help us to take forward the vision of our founding members into the challenges of the 21st century.”
HLF is also assisting a detailed governance and membership review with market research to increase public awareness and encourage interest in local history, together with an outline business plan. Tenders from heritage experts have now been assessed and Focus Consultants have been appointed.
An important part of this project is to raise awareness of and increase access to the fascinating collection in the museum and to promote knowledge and understanding of the museum’s cultural and heritage offering for people in South Holland.In addition to the museum collection, the society is custodian to an extensive library and archives. These offer a wealth of local history and interest, as well as being nationally and internationally important. The society wants to further encourage local residents, schools, historians, U3A members or individuals tracing their family tree to become more aware of these resources, as well as academic and local history researchers and college and university students.
The Spalding Gentlemen’s Society was founded in 1710 by Maurice Johnson and has had many well-known members, including Lord Tennyson, Sir Isaac Newton and local antiquarian, William Stukeley. Its main purpose is to promote the arts, humanities and sciences. The collection has developed over 300 years and is now housed in a Grade II listed building in Broad Street, which is bursting at the seams and in need of structural repair.
Sadly, the nature and condition of the building make unaccompanied access difficult at present but the society holds regular open days for visitors and arranged visits for interested individuals.
It also organises 12 Friday night lectures at Spalding Grammar School throughout the winter months.
Despite its historic name, membership of the society is open to both men and women. Care and management of the museum, library and archives relies almost entirely on volunteers. Membership is by open application. For more information contact us at sgsinfo@btconnect.com
The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
