How You Can Help

The Armitt Museum & Library is housed in a purpose built building designed for the care of the coleections

As an independent institiution it has no public funding and relies almost entirely on the income form admissions and sales and the generosity of its supporters.

THE NEW ARMITTEER FUND

 The Armitt  (registered charity no 1054762) receives no public funding towards operating costs and  we rely largely on admission prices and museum shop sales to cover our operating costs, pay for our two members of staff, exhibition costs and the expenses for our 30 excellent volunteers.

 The Armitt  is here for everybody in the local community, visitors to the area and generations yet to come.

The Armitt is the repository of the history, life and art of Ambleside and the South Lakes.

 The Armitt is a registered museum meeting national standards and has been actively involved in many worthwhile projects in recent years. Some of our recent achievements include:

Exhibitions:

In 1999 a changing programme of exhibitions was introduced. Since then we have staged 17 special exhibitions with subjects ranging from Kurt Schwitters, the Romans, and Beatrix Potter to local history exhibitions featuring loans from major collections around the country

 Special Events:

These have included a Kurt Schwitters Roadshow, painting demonstrations, children’s microscope sessions and a Fungi Foray.

 Volunteers:

30 marvellous Volunteers give their time regularly to help run the ARMITT

 Collections:

The ARMITT is seen as an appropriate repository for archival material concerning Ambleside and Central Lakeland and the local community with around 300 items of local interest being received each year. New major acquisitions continue to be achieved with the help of grants and donations.

 Education:

A new education project (2004) was established which aims to deliver resources to local schools and young people in the community. A series of workshops have been developed for schools visiting the museum and the range of museum displays has been widened for all family interest, with interactive computer displays and hands on activities

 The Armitt has participated in the Cumbria Museums for learning cluster group working with other Museums and Heritage centres in the County.

European Projects:

A 2 year project in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University called COINE (Cultural Objects in Networked Environments) was initiated in 2002 with the aim of developing a software programme allowing people to tell their own stories and share their heritage experiences.

 The NEW ARMITTEER FUND

Whilst we endeavour to cover our costs through our activities, nevertheless we operate at a deficit and rely on the generosity of supporters to close the revenue gap. The NEW ARMITTEER FUND is a planned giving scheme to enable well wishers to ensure that the Armitt continues into its second century. Members of the scheme agree to donate a minimum of £5 per month via direct debit into the NEW ARMITTEERS FUND. All contributions go directly to the support of the Armitt.

As a  member you will recieve free admission to the Armitt and a quarterly newletter. But most of all you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to preserve this wonderful collection for the enjoyment and education of future generations in the heart of the Lake District.

Please contact us on 01539431212 for a NEW ARMITTEERS FUND leaflet and direct debit form.

 You might also like to support the Armitt by joining our Friends Organisation.  Friends of the Armitt receive free admission, a quarterly newsletter, and  special events and previews are regularly organised