'One of the jewels in the crown of our museums network' Kate Mosse OBE

This is a very challenging time for all of us and the Huguenot Museum is not alone in needing your support. We are an independent museum with no ongoing source of funding and closure to visitors caused by Covid restrictions resulted in a large deficit in our income over a 2 year period. Though we are delighted to have opened again in August 2022, the loss of income over the previous 2 years has had a significant impact on the museum. Any donation, large or small will help to keep this unique museum going and help us to adapt and thrive in the new environment.

Why is the Huguenot Museum important? The Huguenots escaped persecution and brought the word 'refugee' to the English language in the 1680s. At the Huguenot Museum we celebrate their contribution to the life of this nation.

Did you know that the actors David Garrick, Derek Jacobi and Julia Sawalha all have Huguenot ancestors? Others include musicians Keith Richards and Simon Le Bon; writer Harriet Martineau and artist William de Morgan; famous firms like Courtaulds, Tanqueray and Asprey trace their origins to a Huguenot refugee.

As many as one in six English people may be able to trace their ancestry to a French Protestant refugee; others link to ancestors who escaped across Europe, to the Americas and South Africa. Our dedicated volunteers help hundreds of people every year connect with their Huguenot ancestors through our family history service. We have introduced people to new cousins, brought them face to face with an ancestor in the galleries, and uncovered unexpected family stories.

The Huguenots are perhaps best known for their extraordinary craft skills, from the silver of Paul de Lamerie to the silks of Spitalfields. They were also important clockmakers and artists, banker and soldiers, and instrumental in the development of industries such as paper making and the Irish linen industry. The Huguenot Museum also tells the story of the philanthropy which supported this community, and shows the collection of The French Hospital, almshouses for Huguenot descendants situated just a few doors down on Rochester High Street.

Just as history is all around us, it also repeats itself and we make connections between the refugees of the past and present. One visitor commented 'I found the links between the Huguenots' experiences and present day refugees to be very moving, especially as there were a group of young refugees visiting at the time I was there.' Since we opened we have run many workshops with young refugees based in Kent and Medway and we intend to develop this important area of our work, with your support. Last year we worked with Ukrainian art restorers and were able to put on an exhibition 'Huguenots and Ukrainians', displaying restored portraits with locally made ‘Our Family’ quilt from local initiative Medway help for Ukrainians.

We celebrate the legacy of Huguenot craft skills and ingenuity through working with artists to deliver exciting workshops and exhibitions of contemporary craft. Since we opened in 2015 we have shown work by fashion designer (and Huguenot descendant) Alexander McQueen, weavers Margo Selby and Hannah Robson, and ceramicist Claudia Clare. We also have a beautiful shop which, in the words of our last visitor before lockdown, 'honours the Huguenots' tradition of skilled craftsmanship, with a selection of well chosen contemporary handmade items.' Here are some messages from some of our supporters:

Mina McPhee, Volunteer, and Trustee of Kent Kindness, a charity working with refugees

William 9th Earl of Radnor

(previous Governor of the French Hospital, 'La Providence' in Rochester)

Kate Mosse OBE, Novelist & Playwright