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Elizabeth Gaskell’s House says thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has welcomed the news that it has been awarded £50,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund, made possible by the National Lottery and its players.  The funding will provide essential support to Manchester Historic Buildings Trust, the charity that cares for the former home of Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, one of Manchester’s most popular heritage attractions.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has recently reopened to the public, with people reporting how much they’ve enjoyed visiting the cherished family home where Elizabeth wrote some of her most famous novels.  However, as for all heritage and cultural attractions, the impact of Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact.  This is why The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s funding award is so incredibly important to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House; it will be used to support staff costs, overheads, an online programme of talks, marketing and the additional costs associated with providing a safe visitor experience.

Frank Galvin, Chair of Manchester Historic Buildings Trust, says, “I would like to express the thanks of all our staff, volunteers and visitors and to say how much we appreciate this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will not only be of great practical help but also a real boost to morale at this difficult time.  As we’ve reopened our doors it’s been inspiring to see the positive contribution that heritage can make to people’s lives and wellbeing.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says, “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Elizabeth Gaskell’s House during this uncertain time.”

Visiting Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is one of the ways that you can support this national treasure.  Tickets are pre-bookable up to two weeks in advance, with the house and gardens all fully opened to explore every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm. 

A visit to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House reveals not only Elizabeth’s world as a writer, but her active social life with some of the leading figures of Victorian society.  Guests to the Grade II* listed Regency-style villa, which is situated just on the edge of Manchester city centre, included Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens and John Ruskin.  Elizabeth Gaskell was also a friend to Florence Nightingale, a friendship that has influenced the creative that guides visitors around the house, including quotes from Florence such as ‘wash your hands frequently and thoroughly’.

The funding that Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has received has been made possible by National Lottery players and was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50million was made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.  The UK-wide fund aimed to address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm.  Entry is £5.50 for adults and £4.50 for concessions (senior citizens and students).  The Tea Room, located in the original kitchen, is open serving light refreshments, or visitors can bring a picnic blanket and sit in the garden with their own picnic lunch.  Tickets can be pre-booked up to two weeks in advance via www.ticketsource.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell-house.

ENDS

For further information, or to set up an interview please contact Fido PR:

clare.short@fidopr.co.uk / laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk 0161 832 3588

A selection of images can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x2wjsctn654dcqq/AABBeC9AhjwGmi1Jj9L_ALjDa?dl=0

About Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is a Grade II* listed property that was built around 1835-1841 and is a rare surviving example of a suburban villa. The Manchester author lived in the House with her family from 1850 until her death in 1865. Her two daughters lived at the house until 1913. 

The Manchester Historic Buildings Trust was established in 1998 with the primary aim of saving Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. The House opened to the public in October 2014 with support and funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and other charitable trusts.

The House is open to the public every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11:00am to 4:30pm and for private tours, room hire, events and weddings on all days.

Ticket prices: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children under 16 free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets valid for re-entry for 12 months

84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, M13 9LW

elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk

Twitter: @GaskellsHouse

Facebook: Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Private Tours by special arrangement – £12 per person (includes tour, tea/coffee and cake)

The House is available for weddings and room hire on all days. 

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has received the VisitEngland accreditation, We’re Good To Go, which means that it has followed all of the government and industry Covid-19 guidelines and implemented the recommended measures. 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

The Heritage Emergency Fund is now closed for applications. Extra advice and support and longer-term skills and capacity building initiatives has also been made available for the heritage sector. Read more about The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s response to the Covid-19 emergency.

About the National Lottery

• Since The National Lottery’s first draw took place on 19 November 1994, more than £40 billion has been raised for good causes in the areas of arts, sport, heritage and community.
• National Lottery players contribute around £30 million to good causes every week.
• The National Lottery has made more than 5,500 millionaires but its primary purpose is giving to good causes – over 565,000 individual grants have been awarded across the UK, that’s the equivalent of 200 life-changing projects in every UK postcode district.