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

Future Queen and Petula Clark add post-war lustre to Maidstone Zoo

June 2025

With the ending of World War II, Maidstone Zoo, although open during most of the conflict, resumed its mission to show off its animals and attract thousands of visitors. Since opening in 1934, some 1.5 million visitors had passed through the gates at Cobtree Manor. As Ivan White explained in his second fascinating talk about Maidstone Zoo

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How Queen Victoria got around – find out in Maidstone’s “internationally significant” Carriages Museum

June 2025

Sir Hugh Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, 12 times Mayor of Maidstone, has secured his place in local history with two major achievements. He founded a zoo that attracted thousands, including the young Princess Elizabeth – later Her Majesty the Queen – for nearly 20 years. The zoo closed in 1959. But his second huge achievement is still giving pleasure to visitors, an outstanding legacy to the County Town.

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Titanic Honour & Glory Exhibition

May 2025

Maidstone Museum is delighted to invite members to an exclusive preview of the Titanic Honour & Glory Exhibition on Friday 11th July 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Maidstone Museum.
Members of Maidstone Museum Friends’ will have the unique opportunity

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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.

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.

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

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

Maidstone Museum Tribal Mask

Be able to be involved in volunteering opportunities

Receive discounted entry on advertised Museum events

Enjoy all of these wonderful benefits when you …

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

Members comment

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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.

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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.

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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