The Russell-Cotes Museum and Gallery is one of Bournemouth’s greatest assets. One I had the privilege of visiting recently.
Built in the early 1900s by Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes - one of the most important couples in our local history - the Museum is filled with fascinating artefacts that have been gathered from the couple’s global travels.
The Russell-Cotes bequeathed the house, gardens and contents to the people of Bournemouth in 1921.
It is now our duty to protect and preserve it.
I've been working with the new trustees here, as well as with Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to see what we can help them do to improve the buildings behind me and protect them for future generations as the Museum becomes a charity independent of the Council.
We have since put a bid into the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND). The Government’s MEND Fund has invested tens of millions in Museums since 2017, and I continue to lobby Government to ensure Russell-Cotes is the latest recipient.
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In the meantime, please do visit the Museum and Gallery! It’s well worth the visit.
