RAF and Royal Marines to invest in multi-purpose galleries through £13.7m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), the National Lottery Heritage Fund will donate £13.7m to museums honouring the RAF and the Royal Marines. 

The first grant, valued at £9.3m, shall be credited to the RAF Museum Midlands. This contribution seeks to aid the installation of new visitor facilities and exhibitions, as well as a diverse public engagement programme. 

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Located in Cosford, the museum houses a vast assortment of historical items – with much of its assemblage more than a century old. However, current design limitations mean that only 1% of the establishment’s content is open for public viewing. 

Through funding provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the RAF Museum Midlands aspires to increase the availability of in-house content. Alongside contemporary educational programmes, a revamped “collections hub” is expected to comprise previously private provisions.

This is part of a wider plan to establish multi-functional facilities, anticipated to cost more than £28m. Spanning science, technology, the arts, mathematics and engineering – this locally-focused venture strives to improve visitor engagement via intuitive presentations and exhibitions. 

The remaining £4.4m will be presented to the National Museum of the Royal Navy – aiding development plans to construct a new residence for legacy Royal Marines infrastructure.

Such a move marks a pivotal moment for Royal Navy heritage, following the closure of the Royal Marines Museum in 2017. Now, by way of funding accrued through National Lottery players, Portsmouth’s Boathouse 6 will become the first bespoke home for this “nationally important military collection.”

Construction on Boathouse 6 concluded in 1848 - with a pair of military engineers being the masterminds behind the Grade II-listed building. Initially manufactured for boat fabrication and repairs, it is now expected to undergo a major transformation before welcoming domestic and international visitors to its all-new gallery.

Specifically, this revised establishment will consist of a 400 square metre “special exhibition gallery”, a Marines-themed ‘laser quest’ area and a 275-seat auditorium. Moreover, a “dual-use public programming and conference facility” will also be produced. 

Those interested in the blueprints for both museums can view artistic impressions of the upcoming halls on the National Lottery Heritage Fund website.

National Lottery Heritage Fund CEO, Eilish McGuinness, discussed the importance of VE Day in modern society in a press release: “As people across the UK mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, it is evident that the legacy of the Second World War and our armed forces are a key part of our historical narrative.”

Commenting on the positive impact of these projects, McGuinness said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, these projects will help new audiences to discover, draw inspiration from and forge connections with the stories of the RAF and Royal Marines, helping to ensure the heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”