August 2025
A sunny evening voyage along the River Medway is a lovely way to see Maidstone and nearby attractions from a different angle.
More than 40 members of Maidstone Museums’ Foundation and guests enjoyed a relaxing cruise on Thursday August 14, 2025, savouring the scenery, buffet and drinks from the bar. Although recent
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.
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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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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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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
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)
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