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

Unsung heroes making a big difference to Maidstone

March 2025

Maidstone is proving a role model for its management of the Business Improvement District (BID), so much so that representatives from other UK towns are beating a path to their door to find out how One Maidstone does it.
Michelle Woodland, Chief Executive Officer One Maidstone BID, and Steven Pankhurst, BID’s Business Crime Manager, told an audience

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Maunsell Forts – From Wartime Defence to Pirate Radio

February 2025

Those strange structures off the Kent coast have played a key role in maritime and radio history. Frank Turner, from Gravesend, is passionate about the Maunsell forts, so much so that he is spearheading a campaign of restoration. He told their fascinating story to a 40-strong audience at the first MMF talk of the year held on February 13 in Maidstone Museum

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Calendar Girls, Enjoy a night at the theatre and help MMF support a vital museum access project

February 2025

MMF has once again been chosen by the highly regarded Willington Players to benefit from every ticket sold by the charity for their next production Calendar Girls.

This heartwarming and hilarious play is based on a true story and the hit 2003 film. When Annie’s husband dies of leukaemia, she and her best friend Chris decide to raise funds for the local hospital. They create a calendar featuring friends from the Women’s Institute…

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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