Council offers Ayscoughfee Hall Museum as a temporary home for the Spalding Gentlemen's Society

Posted on 25 August 2023

South Holland District Council has offered Ayscoughfee Hall Museum as a temporary home for the Spalding Gentlemen's Society, with a shared space for increased exhibitions and displays whilst work is carried out at their Broad Street Museum in Spalding. 

The collaboration between Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and the Spalding Gentlemen's Society will give a greater opportunity to explore local heritage and stories alongside both organisation's exciting programme of events and activities.

This is a unique opportunity for the Spalding Gentlemen's Society to have a more visible presence in the family home of their founder, Maurice Johnson II, whose portrait hangs prominently in Ayscoughfee Hall Museum.

Councillor Tracey Carter, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing said: "We're very excited at the prospect of having Spalding Gentlemen's Society move into Ayscoughfee Hall. As a Council we're committed to supporting local heritage and this collaboration will allow a greater number of residents and visitors to see and appreciate South Holland's fascinating history."

Chairman of Spalding Gentlemen's Society, Petronella Keeling said: "This is a great opportunity to build upon our existing collaboration and small displays already in Ayscoughfee.  We will hear early next year whether we are successful with a grant application to enable renovation to our own Broad Street Museum., In the meantime we will be showcasing some of our local heritage collection with an exhibition "Aspects of Spalding"  opening in October in Ayscoughfee Museum.

As per the Council's procedures, this matter is subject to a five day call-in period.