Thanet
Updates Needed at the Maritime Museum
The Ramsgate Maritime Museum is a treasure trove of information and artefacts about the East Kent coast’s heritage and history. Unfortunately, however, the museum is struggling to protect its exhibits, with many artefacts falling into a state of disrepair before its visitors’ eyes. Tony Ovenden is a local historian deeply concerned with the state of the museum’s collections. “The current problem with the Maritime Museum is that the venture is so outdated,” Tony explains. “It is an equally outdated business model that is not working. There are urgent repair works needed on the clock house, resulting in damp and cold conditions that have affected the way the collection is being looked after. Neglect runs though the museum like letters in a stick of rock.” The museum is run by the Steam Museum Trust, but Tony says that the Ramsgate Society have been proposing ideas for a brand new maritime heritage centre. “These proposals have been taken up by Thanet District Council, and were used in a successful application for levelling up grant money from the government. The Ramsgate Society and TDC are looking at proposals to take the maritime heritage centre forward along with other plans for the adjacent area.
“However, issues do remain with the current collection. There has been some improvement in the overall conditions inside the museum. But the situation is still well below acceptable museum standards. For the renovation works to proceed, the collection will have to be removed and placed into secure storage. This is going to be a momentous task for all involved, as all the databases are outdated. At present the collection is in a state of inertia waiting on the decision process that will affect the storage conditions of the collection.” Many of the exhibits in the museum have been loaned there by individuals and organisations, and it is heart-breaking for people to see their precious family heirlooms, which were donated in good faith, allowed to degenerate and become ruined. Fortunately, many people have agreed that if their loans are returned to them, they will donate them back to the heritage centre at a later date. “Recently I have been looking into the maritime museum library and archive,” Tony says. “That is really turning out to be a hidden treasure. There is enough content that will give a new dimension to our maritime heritage that I am sure will make the new maritime heritage centre a centre of excellence. This is something I am optimistic about.” by Alice Smales
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