This October the Gainsborough Heritage Association is excited to be celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Chairman Andrew Birkett and Paul Kemp, the original founders, have been taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane and feeling very proud of their achievements.
The pair first met and became friends after meeting at the local Delvers history group, a group of enthusiastic people who shared the dream of keeping Gainsborough’s history alive though talks and slideshows.
The idea of opening a museum in the town came about when Paul read an article in a 1930s newspaper which mentioned the need for a museum in Gainsborough This article created a dream.
Andrew and Paul were both collectors (some might say hoarders) and they had so many pictures and local artifacts between them they could open a museum, so they would say! As their enthusiasm grew, people got to know about their vision and came forward offering many articles from Gainsborough past including large and small items from Marshalls and Roses engineering factories. The community backed the duo 100%.
They were on a mission to prove the need for a museum in the town, so with determination, hard work and financial backing they opened their first exhibition in Richmond House in 1993. It was a huge success and attracted over 2,000 visitors. Their dream then became reality, and the Gainsborough and District Heritage Association was founded. At last, the town was going to get a Heritage Centre.
This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the band of dedicated volunteers (too many to mention by name but you know who you are). They are the ones who rolled up their sleeves and cleaned, decorated and repaired in both the Britannia building and the current premises the Old Post Office on the corner of North Street. Generous funding and donations were also vital. You can hear more about this incredible journey on the Gainsborough Heritage Association website – watch and listen to Andy and Paul’s story straight from the horses’ mouths.
Celebrations of this 30-year anniversary will take place on Saturday 19th October at Gainsborough Heritage Centre. There will be free entry, drinks and cupcakes available and the opportunity for new members to get 14 months membership for the price of 12, so please don’t miss this opportunity to look round the brilliant new displays and walk the street of days gone by. There will also be a new book launch. ‘A Lesson in History’ by Jeremy Curtis is a book about the Hickman Hill Hotel / grammar school. Jeremy will be there to sign copies of his book. All in all, it will be an exciting event.
The Centre has gone from strength to strength, gaining a five star rating on Trip Advisor and being awarded the Historic Heart award in 2023. All of those involved are extremely proud of their achievements and are striving to reach the next level of ‘Museum Status’. It is a charity-based organisation that relies heavily on funding and memberships. So, they ask the people of Gainsborough and surrounding areas to continue supporting the Association so they can look forward to the next 30 years.