The Move from Newport to East Cowes

What is changing?  We have moved our main collection of fifty heritage boats from Newport to East Cowes.  Our new home is the Albany Building, which is one street back from the Esplanade, and part of the SEEDA estate, a stone's throw from our existing Gallery.  For pictures of our progress click here.

Our new building now houses both the collection of boats and our restoration and repair workshops.  Viewing windows allow visitors to see the workshops, and we hope to be able to offer things like traditional boat maintenance courses to preserve and develop skills.

Why did we move?  For some time there has been a desire to relocate the Museum to Cowes.  The East Cowes Structure Plan provides for a Maritime Heritage Centre of which we are lead partner; opening our Gallery in East Cowes was the first step towards this, relocating our main collection completed that plan.

The timing was dictated by circumstances; our landlord at Seaclose, the IW Council, wanted vacant procession of the premises at Newport and we have received a very generous offer of premises from SEEDA, the local development agency, in East Cowes.

What are the longer term plans?  The intention is that East Cowes will be our long term home.  However, the building we movied into is subject to a five year lease and, in the longer term, is zoned for redevelopment as part of the East Cowes Structure plan.  The plan provides for the Museum to relocate elsewhere in the Cowes Waterfront area.

Bearing this in mind, we are limiting the amount of spend on structural repairs and physical alterations to the property, and as far as possible we are ensuring that our spend is portable, eg demountable internal partitions rather than fixed walls.

How are we funding the move? Our budget is £15,000 and we are approaching local businesses, seeking lottery grants and investigating other sources.

Donations – large and small are welcome.  Download a donation form here and post it back to us.