Richards praises Museum

An evening of insight and celebration was hosted at Maidstone Museum recently as part of a fundraising event for the redevelopment of its Ancient Civilisations gallery – a project dominated by a host of revelations surrounding the mummified objects with the museum’s collection.

Attracting local business leaders, members of Maidstone Museum’s CUR8 youth group, and councillors from Maidstone Borough Council, the event also featured a special guest appearance by acclaimed archaeologist and presenter of BBC TV’s Meet The Ancestors, Julian Richards. The evening included a selection of fascinating and revealing presentations – including one from Richards that commended the work of the museum, the findings discovered by recent CT scans of Maidstone Museum’s own mummy, Ta-Kush, and extolled the virtues of youth in helping unravel the secrets of the past.

Mark Baker, Chairman of Maidstone Museums’ Foundation, welcomed Richards’ support. He said: “The significance of the Ancient Civilisations project cannot be overstated. The gallery represents one of Maidstone Museum’s most popular attractions, and plays an integral role in the educational services provided to local schools and youth groups across Kent. After all, we are one of the only museums in the South East to feature a mummy, so for us to be able to offer the best environment in which to educate and inform is of paramount importance.

“The funding we have already secured through the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable us to modernise the gallery, but it’s essential that we encourage the support of local businesses and benefactors to help us complete the works. The success of this fundraising event will go a long way to achieving the aims we have for completing the redevelopment of the gallery in summer 2017.”

Victoria Barlow, Museum Director, added: “We’ve seen recently that the level of interest in both our mummy and our Ancient Civilisations gallery is unprecedented, so to be able to welcome so many supporters to this fundraising event represents a great opportunity to showcase the level of work that has been invested into unveiling the secrets held within the collection.

“We hope that any other parties interesting in pledging their support to our work and the revised gallery won’t hesitate to get in touch. This fundraiser has been a huge success and we’re thankful in particular to Julian Richards for taking the time to visit and show his appreciation to the work undertaken at Maidstone Museum.”

For more information on how to become a supporter of the Ancient Civilisations gallery and other projects run by the Maidstone Museum Foundation, contact Lyn Palmer on 01622 602862 or email exhibitions@maidstone.gov.uk today.