Donate

How can I support the museum?

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 is dependent on ticket sales and donations to continue operating so we really appreciate your support.

The best way to support the museum is to buy an annual pass each year. That gives the museum a steady flow of income and is the best value entry for visitors for all our spring and summer events. Donations and purchases with gift aid also help a lot.

For those with deeper pockets we welcome larger donations and there is also the opportunity to join our Patrons Scheme. The Patrons Scheme has been designed to reflect the needs of the museum now and the aspirations for the future with a choice of pricing options to suit business and personal budgets. Email us at info@rural-life.org.uk if you are interested in this Scheme. Be part of the team that brings our rural heritage to life.

Managing your money?

We manage and collect all donations via CAF Donate - they give us assurances that money and data is secure. Find out more about CAF Donate.

What is money spent on?

Money is spent on maintaining and improving the 15-acres Estate. Buildings, lighting, heating, repairs and managing and maintaining the museum collection of over 40,000 artefacts. New projects too, like the tree trail showcasing the trees left to us by the Founders Madge and Henry Jackson and creating a new learning space for children and adults to use all year round. With the right support the team can aim high and continue to develop the Rural Life Living Museum for all to enjoy.

Donate an Object

We would be delighted to hear from you if you have an object that you think might be perfect for our collection. Please do not bring your object to the Museum or send it to us without speaking to our Collections Team first.

How to donate an object

Please email info@rural-life.org.uk with as much information as you have on the object and include photographs of the object if you can. By emailing us with information and photographs, the Collections Team can assess the object and check to see if we already have examples of that object in the collection. Any object that could enhance or complete our collection is then put through an approval procedure; this ensures that the object adheres to our Collections Policy.

What happens next?

The Collections Manager will contact you to confirm that your email has been received, clarify any information and to explain what happens next.

If your object is accepted

The Collections Manager will contact you to accept your donation so that it becomes part of our collection and arrange for it to be transferred to us.

If your object is declined

You will be given a reason why we cannot accept your kind offer of donation and where possible, we will suggest other appropriate contacts for you to consider next.