The Dumfries building that inspired the Peter Pan story is closing
The building has had many adventures of its own over the last 201 years.
The building that inspired the Peter Pan fairytale has finished its final chapter.
Trustees of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust and Visitor Centre in Dumfries Town Centre announced the closure “with a heavy heart”.
They say it is has become “necessary to close” from August 23, 2024, due to losing money for a long time and lost funding, donor income and legacies as well as being heavily impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
Graham Edwards, Interim-Chair spoke out on behalf of the Board of Trustees: “Every possible effort and option have been explored by the Trustees and staff of the Moat Brae Peter Pan Trust. Therefore, it is with deep sadness that we announce the end of operations.
“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff, volunteers, members and many supporters of the Trust for their commitment in bringing the magic of books and storytelling to life for the thousands of visitors who passed through the doors.
“The Trust’s purpose was to spark young imaginations and encourage creativity, we hope this is the legacy we leave behind.”
Over the years, the mansion building has faced risk of demolition but was later turned into a national centre for children’s literature.
The Peter Pan author JM Barrie studied at Dumfries Academy and as a child, played in Moat Brae’s gardens.
Barrie published his memoirs in 1094 and wrote of Peter Pan: "Our escapades in a certain Dumfries Garden which was an enchanted land to me was certainly the genesis of this work."
“Never say goodbye because saying goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.” says Peter Pan.