THE RURAL LIFE LIVING MUSEUM FACES
CLOSURE

Help us continue the irreplaceable museum in the garden…

The Rural Life Living Museum is unique collection of the discarded buildings, implements and objects of everyday life, collected by Madge and Henry Jackson since 1968. The couple opened their back garden to the public in 1973. Tragically, both their children died young, and the Old Kiln Museum Charitable Trust was formed in 1984 to protect their only surviving legacy.
The museum has been created by many thousands of people who have donated objects and volunteered their time, support and skills. In 2024, we now have some 20 buildings and a collection of 40,000 objects displayed. You can read our mission statement here.
The Rural Life Living Museum is owned and operated by the Old Kiln Museum CIO Registered Charity Number 1200370. The museum receives no external funding and has survived hand-to-mouth through ticket sales and donations. The rising cost of operating the museum now means that expenditure outstrips income generated through ticket sales and donations.

What have we done already?

• We have already attempted to curb the effects of rising expenditure by restructuring the
  staff team, including making redundancies.
• All maintenance has been cut back so that our remaining resources can be concentrated
  on public delivery.
• Finally, we investigated selling a significant asset that is not part of the museum’s
  collection. The house which Madge and Henry lived and built their collection around, was
  valued with a view to providing the museum with endowment for a safeguarded future. The
  Old Kiln Museum CIO agreed that selling the house would adversely affect the future in
  which the Founders can continue to be a significant part of the story.

What would closure mean?

• The collection would be broken up and offered to other museums, but it is unlikely that this
  collection would be relevant elsewhere and so would go to waste transfer. While the site is
  ancient, it is not protected, and therefore could be developed upon and the museum in the
  garden would be gone forever.
• Much loved events, such as Weyfest and Village at War, would be left without a home.
• There would be a loss of half a million pounds to the local economy.
• A loss learning support to over 50 schools and educational groups that use us every year.
• The purpose that brings together the community of over 150 volunteers would be gone.
• The legacy which has created a great day out will be gone for our 41,000 visitors each
  year.

What is our goal?

Our goal is to raise £150,000 by the end of October 2024.

If every onsite visitor donated £3.75, we will have reached our target. Or
perhaps if every online follower we have on our platforms donated £17.25, we
would reach our target. If only 3,000 people donated £50.00 we would reach
our target.

What will the funds allow us to do?

• Solve an immediate cash flow crisis and sustain the museum through the winter months
  when income is at its lowest.
• Bring on board high level professional help to grow our audience to make our basic
  offering sustainable.
• Return depleted reserves so that we can plan for the future and move to a sustainable
  operating model.

How else can you help?

• Bring your spare coins to put in the campaign milk churn in our shop.
• Tell your friends and share our fundraiser with your networks and on social media.
• Buy a ticket to visit us.
• Share your memory or what the museum means to you with us here.

Thank you.