Ripon Museum Trust was formed in 1982 by a small group of volunteers.
The Trust employs several full and part members of staff who are supported by over 100 passionate volunteers. Our volunteers help with all aspects of the museums from Front of house roles to Finance, Learning and Curation.
Our team of Trustees are very hands on and supportive and you can read more about the museum team and those working hard behind the scenes.
We are always welcoming new volunteers so if you would like to find out more please get in touch [email protected]
Our mission is to use the unique trio of the Workhouse, Prison & Police and Courthouse Museums, collections and stories to help people explore big issues such as fairness, equality, justice and welfare.
Through excellent engagement, programming and outreach, 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.
From its inception in 1968, Ripon Civic Society was concerned at the lack of museum coverage in the city after the closure of the City Museum at Thorpe Prebend House in 1956.
This was made worse by the closure of the Wakeman’s House Museum in 1987.
The Society continued to press the Local Authorities to provide premises for another museum and in 1981, the Old Liberty Prison (built in 1816) became vacant. Ripon Museum Trust was established with the intention of opening the Prison & Police Museum at the Old Liberty Prison and in 1982 Ripon Museum Trust was granted charitable status.
Timeline
1982: Ripon Museum Trust was formed
1984: the Prison & Police Museum opened
1994: the Trust obtained a lease for the former Vagrant’s Cell Block at the old Workhouse in Allhallowgate
1996: the Workhouse Museum opened
2000: the Trust opened up the old No. 1 Court in the court building, which had closed in 1998, as the Courthouse Museum.
2010: the Workhouse Garden was restored and opened to the public
2017: the Trust secured the main block of the Workhouse and opened parts of it during the year to expand the Workhouse Museum
2018: the Trust secured Arts Council NPO status
