Case study: The Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon
How the Cromwell Museum used our funding to help bring the story of Oliver Cromwell to life
The project
The aim of the project was to reinterpret and refurbish the Cromwell Museum gallery, bringing to life the story of Oliver Cromwell to the widest possible audience and showcasing an internationally important collection in an engaging way. While the museum has existed for many years, the display looked tired and the interpretation did not reflect contemporary research. The organisation identified a clear need to refurbish and re-interpret the museum, to bring their collection to life for visitors and to ensure that the objects were well cared for from a conservation and security standpoint.
The organisation
The Cromwell Museum is home to a collection of over 800 items relating to the life and times of Oliver Cromwell, housed in the medieval building in which he once attended school. The Museum chronicles Cromwell’s life, beginning with his time at school and his early years in Huntingdon and St Ives, and continuing through his military and political career during the English Civil War. The Museum is operated by an independent charity, the Cromwell Museum Trust.
The funding
Stuart Orme, the Curator at the Cromwell Museum, said: ‘The Wolfson Foundation awarded £71,000 to the project in June 2019. Prior to applying for funding from Wolfson, we had secured £85,000 through the Association for Independent Museums. Once we had secured both awards, we felt confident to approach other funders and private donors for the remainder of the funds that we needed for the project. Having one or two funders backing you gives you the confidence to approach others, which results in a snowball effect.’
Grant Fact File
Grant Programme:
Arts & Humanities, Museums & Galleries
Year awarded:
2019
Amount:
£71,000
Project location:
The Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon
The Cromwell Musem
Key milestones
Stuart Orme, Curator at The Cromwell Museum, outlines the key project & application milestones for the refurbishment project.
Initial Idea
Before any applications for funding could go ahead, it was important to establish a strategy for the future of the museum. We arranged sessions with trustees, volunteers, the public and local stakeholders to establish the needs, wants and aims going forward.
Identifying project details
The scope of the refurbishment was decided upon and we began pulling together quotes and ideas for how it might be achieved.
Identifying the Wolfson Foundation as a potential funder
Fundraising began in 2019. The first funding was secured at the beginning of the year, after which we applied to the Wolfson Foundation.
Preparing Stage 1 application
Before doing anything, we checked that our project was eligible for funding from the Wolfson Foundation by reviewing the eligibility criteria on the website. We then put together our initial application and were aware that the Wolfson Foundation team were available for any queries we might have had.
Invited to apply for Stage 2, which was then successful
We submitted our Stage 2 application and later found out that we were successful. A grant of £71,000 was awarded by the Wolfson Foundation to support the project.
Site work begins and the project evolves
The museum was closed for six months for refurbishment. Whilst the museum was closed, a temporary display of the objects was created at the Town Hall nearby. It was important to stay open in some capacity, to ensure that the volunteers and the public remained engaged with the museum.
Grant paid
The grant was claimed during the second half of the delivery phase.
Work is completed and the building re-opens
Project completed in March 2023. Prior to opening, there were trial visits from schools to test the new layout and interpretation, as well as private views with donors and funders. The Museum reopening was a big event in Huntingdon, with a parade and official ceremony.
- From the start, the application demonstrated enthusiasm for telling the story of Oliver Cromwell by bringing both the full extent of the collections, and historic building to life. By reconfiguring the layout and presentation of the museum’s display, improving their interpretation as well as their plans for learning activities, the project was clearly aimed at attracting and stimulating a new and wider audience. Their application impressed the Heritage, Humanities & the Arts expert panel, thanks to its clearly defined goals and objectives, accompanied by a well-crafted and effectively communicated strategy for their attainment.
Rosie Peacock, Programme Officer (Heritage, Arts & Schools)
The impact
Stuart Orme, the Cromwell Museum’s Curator, said: ‘While the COVID-19 pandemic meant that we couldn’t accommodate visitors following opening, we are now seeing the positive effects of the refurbishment. 2023 is set to be our busiest year yet, with visitor numbers increasing all the time. We’ve had brilliant engagement with local schools and we have recently employed a Learning Engagement Officer to increase our output in resource and events. We are also able to host better temporary exhibitions on site. Our new display is much more secure and conservation-friendly, meaning we can now get more significant artefacts on loan from other museums.’
Looking ahead
Stuart said: ‘We are looking at a potential expansion of our museum into a neighbouring building. This would increase our capacity for larger temporary exhibitions, more visitors and a larger retail space. We are also hoping to digitise our collections and make them accessible online. We have such a rich collection that would be a wonderful resource for researchers, schools and academics, so getting them photographed and online is a more immediate goal.’
The Cromwell Museum after the refurbishment project. Credit: Simon Hill.
What would your top tips be for a similar organisation applying for funding?
Talk to the funder in the early stages. They can clarify what the application process looks like and can answer any initial questions you might have
Be confident when writing applications, even if it’s the first funder you are approaching. Your confidence in the project will shine through and result in a stronger application
Be clear about what your project is. Don’t be tempted to try and adapt it to what the funder’s aims are – if you have a clear objective and communicate it well, you’ll be happier with the finished result
