News Articles

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.

July 2025

MMF’s design awards for young people sparked a wealth of exciting product ideas that were celebrated at an awards evening in the Friends’ Shop.
The third MMF Heritage Design Challenge, promoted to schools across Kent, encourages young people to visit Maidstone Museum and create a product idea from something they have seen there. Winning products are sold in the Museum shop.

July 2025

Prisoners serving a life sentence are easier to work with than those facing shorter terms, according to John Mills, a prison officer for 15 years. His experience of working in prisons in Maidstone and Holloway showed that “lifers were the easiest group I worked with. Once a lifer is told to serve a life sentence, they make a life for themselves in prison.

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

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.