Mevagissey Museum launches appeal for roof restoration
They're hoping to raise £40,000
Mevagissey Museum has launched an appeal to raise £40,000 to restore its roof.
The award-winning site desperately needs a new weatherproof roof to preserve the building, its contents and local heritage and traditions for future generations.
Mevagissey and District Museum is a registered charity and is housed in a Grade II listed building that once was a boatbuilding yard dating back to 1745. The museum is situated at the end of the inner harbour.
In 1995 a new felt roof was put on by a local builder and three of his workmen but due to the weather conditions the museum experiences during the winters, it is now in need of a new roof.
"Mevagissey Museum is a real treasure trove"
Cornwall Councillor and Museum Trustee James Mustoe said: "Mevagissey Museum is jam-packed with hundreds of years worth of historical items that give a fascinating glimpse into the history of Mevagissey and the surrounding area.
"It is wholly run by volunteers while maintaining strong and enduring relations with its community. I have fond memories of taking part in the Mevagissey Museum Project when I was in Year 6 way back in 1996 and I know friends whose own children are now taking part.
"While our museum is itself, located in a piece of history, these old buildings are more and more expensive to maintain, which is why we are now looking for funds to restore the museum roof. Your money will go direct to realising this goal and securing the future of this local institution. I encourage anyone who feels able, to give generously via the Just Giving appeal which has been started."
Commenting, Annie Butler, Vice Chair of Mevagissey School’s Board of Governors said: "Mevagissey Primary School has enjoyed a very special relationship with Mevagissey Museum, ever since it opened 55 years ago.
"Anyone who grew up in Mevagissey and attended Mevagissey School will have fond memories of taking part in a Mevagissey Museum Project and this still continues today.
"Visits to Mevagissey Museum are always a highlight for our children. The children look forward to these visits and enjoy many memorable learning experiences, both at the museum and after their visits, back at school.
"Our teachers creatively link our children’s learning in English, Maths, History and Geography to what the children see and learn at the Museum, but just as importantly the Museum provides our children with a unique opportunity to learn about the history of their community and their locality; it really is a special place for our school!
"Many of our children’s families have been part of the Mevagissey community for generations; so within the museum they may well find pictures, stories and artefacts that relate directly to their grandparents and great grandparents: so for these children it’s also a very personal history they discover at the museum."
You can find the JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/mevagissey-museum
The museum has also set up a Facebook group called 'Mevagissey Remembered' for people to share memories and experiences of the town.