Supporting Our Heritage

Maidstone Museums' Friends

Run by Maidstone Museums' Foundation (MMF), Registered Charity No. 802547

President – VICTORIA WALLACE DL

Maidstone Museums’ Friends are part of a charitable, independent organisation set up to lead people’s appreciation of and support for these Museums – their buildings, collections, displays and interpretation, educational activity, research and much more. This is achieved through co-ordinated voluntary effort.

Latest News

The Kent Lieutenancy – Serving the Crown for 500 years

October 2025

The Kent Lieutenancy has served monarchs for five centuries. Trevor Sturgess, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent (DL), told an audience of 30 MMF members and guests that the important role originated in Tudor times when Henry VIII sat on the throne. In the latest talk in the Maidstone Museums Friends’ shop, Fremlin Walk, on April 9, 2025, “Serving the Crown: the Right Royal story of the Kent Lieutenancy

... continue reading

Fran Wilson former Council Leader walks corridors of Power

Fran Wilson, former Council Leader, Walks Maidstone’s Corridors of Power

September 2025

Politics in local government used to be less fractious than it is today, according to Fran Wilson, twice leader of Maidstone Borough Council. In a talk “Corridors of Power” in the Maidstone Museum Friends’ shop, Fremlin Walk, on September 11, 2025, she spoke of a time when councillors of all parties mingled freely. “It’s a shame that that attitude and respect did not last.”

... continue reading

MMF Tribute to the late Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL

MMF Tribute to the late Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL

September 2025

It is with great sadness that Maidstone Museums’ Foundation has learned of the death of our former President Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL.
Sir Robert served as President from 2017 – 2024. After he stepped down from that role, he was accorded the honorary title of President Emeritus which he held until his death on September 5, 2025.
In 2017 MMF was delighted and honoured when Sir Robert accepted our invitation to become President.

... continue reading

Browse ALL MMF News articles ...

Provide volunteer effort to support the work and operation of the museums

Co-ordinate and operate the Friends’ scheme

Promote the three Museums to the residents of Maidstone and beyond, helping to preserve our local heritage

Secure finance to help with the purchase of artefacts, restoration of works, research, improved display & interpretation, improvement/adaption of the buildings - through grant-giving trusts, local fund-raising activities, donations, and the Friends’ scheme.

See what our members say ...

The Museums

Maidstone is home to some of the finest, and eclectic museums in the South East. Their artefacts and presentations cover the story of this area, the collections of Maidstone people who have travelled the world (artefacts from the Japanese Edo period, the South Pacific and North America), the West Kent regimental museum, and one of Europe’s best collections of carriages.

Donate to assist MMF in helping the Museums

Become a Friend of Maidstone Museums and enjoy these

Member Benefits

have a chance to attend exclusive Museum previews and exhibitions
attend monthly MMF talks at the Friends’ shop
be invited to relevant Friends’ Receptions:-

for all Friends
for Youth Members
for Corporate Members

help run MMF Competitions, including:-

Maidstone Young Artists Award (MYAA – biennial)
Heritage Design Challenge (for young people – biennial)

receive discounted entry to children’s activities, and 10% reduction in the Museum shop
be invited to take part in activities throughout the year
receive regular news of activities and events by email, in addition to all the news on our website and social media

Enjoy all of these wonderful benefits when you

Find out what's happening at MMF ...

Join the family of people who support Maidstone’s Museums

Obtain a 25% discount for Museum special exhibition entry

Be invited to take part in activities throughout the year

Gain an insight into what goes on behind the scenes

Be able to be involved in volunteering opportunities

Receive discounted entry on advertised Museum events

Enjoy all of these wonderful benefits when you …

Find out what's happening at MMF ...

Receive a bi-monthly MMF e-newsletter, keeping you informed of news and activities

Members comment

Christine Miller

Joining MMF has helped me feel a more personal contact with the Museums. Its events pre-covid- were excellent and I am looking ahead to some bright new ideas from them as soon as we are able to meet properly again. Have been impressed with contact via the Friends' newsletter, enjoyed seeing the old Maidstone photograph exhibition at the MMF pop up shop, and seeing children interacting with the dinosaur there. Well done everyone.

Maria

Having recently joined the Maidstone Museums' Foundation. we have had the opportunity to experience the Museums after itheir reopening. Taking the grandchildren to see the dinosaurs has been a monthly treat for them and the staff are excellent and very knowledgeable. Thank you Maidstone Museums' Foundation.

Bill

MMF membership has given me the opportunity to support this valuable and essential asset that Maidstone has. It also gives us the chance to further investigate and enjoy the Museums’ superb and varied exhibits.

Now you know more about Maidstone Museums' Friends

We are accepted by the Fundraising Regulator, the independent regulator for charitable fundraising in England, Wales & Northern Ireland. It says, to you, that we help promote best practice, defend the sector and demonstrate compliance with the law.

Maidstone Museums’ Friends are pleased to be members of the Association of Independent Museums.

AIM represents, connects and strengthens the UK’s independent museums and heritage organisations.

Maidstone Museums’ Friends are part of a wider network across the the UK of those local groups who support culture and Heritage. We are members of the British Association of Friends of Museums (BAFM)

Contact Us

For all questions please contact:

Mr Ivan White, MMF Membership Secretary info@maidstonemuseumsfriends.org.uk

Data Protection

MMF is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for data protection.

ICO is an independent body set up to uphold information rights.

Personal Details
MMF hold your contact details only for the purpose of keeping you informed about matters relating to Maidstone’s Museums and the Foundation. These details will be kept for a maximum of 15 calendar months after your last active paid membership expires. We will never share your personal or financial details with any other organisation. We keep your information safely and securely, and only Trustees of MMF are given access to your data Should you wish to request access, corrections or removal of your personal information please contact us by contacting:
Ivan White, MMF Membership Secretary

Photographs on the Website

We always ensure that personal data contained in photographs on this site are protected. We do this by:

making sure people in any photograph are unidentifiable unless they have given their permission; and
making sure we have authority to use the photograph.

Download MMF’s Privacy Policy

Registered Charity Number 802547

Copyright 2020 Maidstone Museums' Foundation

Copyright Maidstone Museums Foundation 2024