Overview

The New Forest Heritage Centre, owned and managed by the New Forest Heritage Trust, is the only organisation interpreting the history, ecology and cultural significance of this nationally designated unique landscape - engaging and informing its audience through inspiring collections, exhibitions and educational activities, welcoming in excess of 220,000 visitors a year.

The key aims of the organisation are:

The provision of education, information and insight for the benefit of all to assist their understanding, conservation, protection and appreciation of the unique character and amenities of the New Forest.

The provision of equipment and maintenance of a regional museum, collections, library and archive for the benefit of all parties to illustrate the character and history of the New Forest.

The promotion and support of research relating to the New Forest and the dissemination of the insightful outputs thereof by way of publication and display, thereby facilitating knowledge transfer and engagement with a wider and more diverse audience.

Renovation Project Scope

This involves making improvements to the Library and Map Room, purchasing new archival standard racking units and bespoke cabinets for the book, map and document collections, which consists of more than 12,000 books, 6,500 maps and 30,000 photographs, postcards and documents.

The current storage arrangements have evolved over the last 30 years and consists of mostly domestic bookcases and display units that have been donated or purchased over time. The current shelf space measures approximately 120 metres, whereas the new proposal will deliver more than three times this at 450 metres.

Completion of the project will facilitate the full integration of currently un-catalogued material as well as future acquisitions in a safe and secure environment that is fit for purpose.

Benefits

The Renovation project will ensure that the collections can be stored and handled safely and securely in line with Spectrum 5 best practice https://collectionstrust.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-5/

The storage system will enable visitors and researchers to better understand, enjoy and help maintain the special environment that is the New Forest through improved access to library and museum collections, whilst at the same time allowing for future development opportunities.

The collections reach will be further extended, supported by an increase in research outputs and digitisation uploads to New Forest Knowledge. https://nfknowledge.org