MUSEUM supporters have 1.3 million reasons to celebrate as their dream to convert Petersfield’s former police station into one of the district’s top tourist attractions is on the verge of becoming reality.
The road is clear for Petersfield Museum to achieve their ‘Pathways into the Past’ heritage project as they’ve received a whopping £1,318,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The money will be used to transform the former police station and courthouse into a cultural and heritage centre which boasts galleries, creative spaces and an original ‘bench’ and witness stand.
Visitors will get the chance to learn about the stories of Petersfield and surrounding villages through a unique blend of artefacts, historic clothing, art and literature.
The transformation will also give Petersfield a standout attraction as the resulting Victorian justice heritage centre will be one of just a handful in the country to boast a police station and courthouse.
The grant means supporters are now close to raising the overall £2.56m needed to complete the project, with work expected to start in early 2019.
Museum trustee Jeremy Mitchell said it was great to know that the 160-year-old station will be preserved and given a new lease of life.
Lead trustee for the project Bill Gosney shared the good news with town councillors on Monday.
He said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund people were hugely impressed with the project and gave us the full amount we asked for.”