The Trust

Ripon Museum Trust Mission Statement

Our mission is to use the unique trio of the Workhouse, Prison & Police and Courthouse Museums, collections and the stories they tell to help people explore big issues such as fairness, equality, justice and welfare. Through excellent engagement, programming and outreach, together we will inspire people to become compassionate and active citizens, shaping society for the better. We will work for greater participation in our heritage which will enrich lives and improve wellbeing. Volunteering is integral to our organisation; at our core we work as one team. We will make a positive impact on Ripon and the region’s cultural and economic capital.

Ripon Museum Trust Vision

Our vision is to use our heritage assets to inspire people to seek a fairer society.

How we began

The RIPON CIVIC SOCIETY from its inception in 1968 had been concerned at the lack of museum coverage in the City which has resulted from the closure of the City Museum at Thorpe Prebend House in 1956.  This was to be made worse by the closure of the Wakeman’s House Museum in 1987.  The Society had continued to press the Local Authorities to provide premises for another museum.

In 1981 the Old Liberty Prison (built in 1816) became vacant and it was decided to set up the Ripon Museum Trust with the intention of opening up the Ripon Prison and Police Museum there.  Ripon Museum Trust was granted chartable status in 1982.

Progress of the Trust

• The Prison and Police Museum was opened in 1984
• In 1994 the Trust obtained a lease for the former Vagrant’s Cell Block at the old Workhouse in Allhallowgate and opened the Workhouse Museum there in 1996.
• In 2000 the Trust opened up the old No. 1 Court in the court building which had closed in 1998 as the Courthouse Museum.
• In 2010 the Workhouse Garden was restored and opened to the public
• In 2017 the Trust secured the main block of the Workhouse and opened parts of it during the year to expand the Workhouse Museum