We have raised our first million towards the project to revitalise the Devizes Assize Court as a new home for the Wiltshire Museum and a community destination at the heart of the county.
The Museum is delighted to have received two pledges from major foundations in late 2024. The Rothschild Foundation and The Julia Rausing Trust have both awarded £500,000 towards the restoration of the Assize Court building as the new, sustainable, home for the Museum.
Peter Troughton, Chair of the Devizes Assize Court Trust, said These are exceptional pledges which will help towards our ambitious fundraising target, needed to support the next phase of our ambitious project.
Wiltshire Museum and the Devizes Assize Court Trust (DACT) have been working together to develop the project ‘Assizes for Devizes: Unlocking Wiltshire’s Stories’, which received initial funding support of £300,748 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in June 2023. Thanks to National Lottery Players, we have been progressing the project’s ‘Development Phase’ – a two-year planning period to develop architectural plans, alongside designs for the Museum’s new galleries and an exciting programme of community activities and events.
An application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund will be submitted in summer 2025 for the major funding which will be  needed to make the project a reality. Over the next 6 months, Wiltshire Museum will be preparing applications to more Trusts and Foundations, as well as seeking support from philanthropists and benefactors, to provide the additional match-funding needed. If successful, work will start on the Assize Court building in 2026, with a target opening date of 2030.
A major public fundraising appeal will be launched once the major commitment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been secured. In the meantime, you can support the project by joining the Wiltshire Museum, and becoming a member of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society – the charity that runs the Museum. Members are already supporting this phase of the project, investing over £30,000 each year.
If you are you able to help us with support, that could be transformational in achieving our project aims, then please contact David Dawson, our Director, on 01380 727369 or david.dawson@www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk.
Find out more about the Project at https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/assizes/
About the Rothschild Foundation
The Rothschild Foundation is a charity supporting arts and heritage, the environment, and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through our support of Waddesdon Manor. The Foundation is Chaired by Dame Hannah Rothschild DBE, and managed by a board of Trustees, including other members of the Rothschild family. The Rothschild Foundation offers grants for the benefit of Buckinghamshire delivering our commitment to address the needs of local communities. Beyond Buckinghamshire, the Foundation supports major initiatives which encourage enjoyment of the UK’s rich cultural heritage.
About the Julia Rausing Trust
The aim of funding given through the Julia Rausing Trust is to benefit people within the UK by supporting charitable organisations and initiatives that foster a healthy society, give care to those in need, provide opportunity for all, and offer inspiring cultural engagement.
The Trust gives within a broad strategic framework, in the themes of Arts and Heritage; Education; Health and Welfare. We believe in being agile and responding proactively to emerging issues and need, rather than setting a rigid multi-year strategy. This allows us to have purpose with flexibility, facilitating evolution and reframing of our priorities and programmes as need evolves.
Notes for Editors
Wiltshire Museum is home to the best Bronze Age archaeology collection in Britain and our mission statement is ‘Inspiring people to explore the archaeology, history and environment of Wiltshire’. The collections are Designated by Government as being of National Significance. Wiltshire Museum is an independent charity, with some revenue funding from Wiltshire Council and Devizes Town Council. The Museum is run by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WANHS), a registered charity founded in 1853.
The Devizes Assize Court Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation set up in 2018 to restore the historic and much-loved building before it is too late. It purchased the building in 2018 and, working closely together, the Museum and DACT have developed the Assizes for Devizes project to rescue the historic building and transform the Wiltshire Museum.
The Development Stage Assize Court Project supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Devizes Town Council, Dulverton Trust, Pilgrim Trust, Swire Charitable Trust, Trust for Devizes, Wiltshire Council - Devizes Area Board.
