The Ramsgate Maritime Museum is based in the magnificent Clock House in Ramsgate Royal Harbour. Run in partnership with the Ramsgate Society, the museum devoted to the UK’s maritime history, in particular that of the South East of England.
Now in the process of dissolution, the EKMT had been forced to close the Ramsgate Museum in the autumn of 2008. But this agreement, sealed in early December will allow SMT, an established heritage organisation, to step in to revitalise the museum and create a new and vibrant visitor attraction for Ramsgate. The aim is to make the museum self-sufficient and able to properly manage and care for the collections in the long term.
EKMT trustees have pledged their support along with the skills of museum volunteers and staff, to ensure a smooth and orderly transfer to the new trust.
An early objective will be to secure the future of the Clock House, which houses the museum, and develop the adjacent Dry Dock as a base for the museum’s historic vessels, which include the MY “SUNDOWNER” and steam tug “CERVIA”.
The Steam Museum Trust would then pursue alternative methods of funding for the Ramsgate Museum, including a calendar of events and an improved shop as well as other visitor attractions and facilities at the Clock House.
Steam Tug “CERVIA”
Commander Lightoller’s MY “SUNDOWNER”.
We believe the museum is an important focal point for Ramsgate and its harbour and that, with a viable plan and the enthusiasm of local people, it can continue to serve us all.
In a statement in 2008 a TDC representative said:
“The Council is looking forward to working jointly with the new body to explore developing innovative, viable and sustainable heritage visitor solutions to interpret the best of the nationally recognised local maritime collections, with potential support from other local interest groups, commercial partners, and key regional and national cultural agencies.
The Council remains committed to developing a vibrant cultural agenda for Thanet with it’s partners, particularly so in regard to our truly unique coastal and maritime history and heritage.”
The Steam Museum Trust held its first full scale event over the August bank holiday weekend in support of the Ramsgate Maritime Museum. “HARBOUR STEAM” proved a huge success, with many more people than expected visiting Pier Yard to view the festivities which included visiting......
S.Y. Amazon, moored alongside Harbour Street, Ramsgate, adding much style and grace to the marina. The beautiful 1885 Steam Yacht Amazon on one of her many travels. The beautiful steam yacht Amazon is currently visiting Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour as the guest of the Maritime Museum.......
In support of the regeneration of Ramsgate Maritime Museum, and in tandem with the nation festival of Museums at Night, we’re introducing “Burgers & Bordeaux” the first of a Pop-Up Supper Club Night At The Museum on 16th May 2014. Food will be by renowned......
At least a visitor book brimming with positive comments! Click Here to see more pages from the Museum’s visitor books May through August. We are surprised and cheered by almost unanimously positive comments from hundreds of visitors, many of whom commented on their appreciation of......
Recently in July the Museum hosted a Children’s Storytelling Session. These are run by Emily Parrish from Scandalmongers Theatre Company, who hold many storytelling eventsthroughout the summer. The sessions are free to children of 4 – 11 years with an accompanying adult, and demonstrate the......
Steam engines, locomotives and organs are being prepared for “HARBOUR STEAM” at Ramsgate Harbour 26th & 27th August… Lots of busy preparations are underway at both Preston and Ramsgate for the “HARBOUR STEAM” event taking place in two weeks time on 26th &27th August. Today,......
The Steam Museum Trust are pleased to announce that they are part of a successful bid by “Thanet Works” to provide 5 job training places at the Ramsgate Museum, for young people, commencing in September this year. Part of a central government £1 Billon jobs......
Some of the various Mayors of Kent towns line up for a photo whilst visiting the RMM yesterday. Yesterday, the 17th June, various mayors from local Kent towns attended a gathering to inspect the newly re-opened Museum.. Apparently they were pleased and impressed with what......
M.Y. Sundowner leads the Dunkirk Little Ships at The Medway River Festival M.Y. Sundowner represented the Ramsgate Museum at the Medway River Festival on Saturday and, once again, she led the flotilla of Dunkirk Little Ships. Sundowner is next due to appear at the forthcoming......
Sundowner at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sun 3rd June 2012 Sundowner, the Dunkirk little ship and famous resident of Ramsgate Harbour, attended the Thames Jubilee Pageant in style sailing with the flotilla from Putney Bridge to St Katherine Dock. Her crew survived the......
The museum featured on television recently, in an ITV Meridian news article about the on-going conservation of the many rare items found on wrecks on the Goodwin Sands (and now housed in the Museum’s Clock House building)....
Opening May Bank Holiday Weekend 5th, 6th & 7th May 2012 After 6 long years of negotiation with Thanet District Council (owners of Ramsgate Harbour), the Steam Museum Trust yesterday signed a lease to operate Ramsgate Maritime Museum. The aim is to reopen the Museum......
We are pleased to announce that the Ramsgate Museum and Steam Tug “Cervia’ will be reopening for the Easter holidays from Friday 29th March 2013 for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (including Monday), and then will be open Wednesdays to Sundays until Sunday 14th April.......
The museum and steam tug Cervia opened for the 2013 season during the 4 day Easter holiday weekend, and the May Day and Whitsun 3 day weekends, followed by regular weekend openings until the end of June. From 2nd July, the museum will be open......
The Steam Museum Trust, in collaboration with Francis Philips Architects, London have come up with some exciting and comprehensive proposals for the regeneration of the Museum and the Clock House. These aim to make the museum, the building and its surrounds a major cultural asset......
…Coming to Ramsgate 24th – 26th August 2013 The museum has continued to be involved in numerous harbour-side events during the season, including childrens’ workshops with the Scandalmongers Theatre Company and reaching a climax with the established “Summer Squall” arts festival which, once again, is......
The Steam Museum Trust is currently in discussions with the organisers of “The Shipwreck Treasure Tour” to hold an exhibition in the Clock House during September 2013. This exciting display features gold and silver bullion – coins, etc. – salvaged rom 3 historic ship wrecks,......
The Ramsgate Royal Harbour played host to the “Old Gaffers Association” 50th Anniversary celebrations over the weekend 3-5th August. The flotilla of traditional ‘gaff rigged’ sailing boats were moored on the museum’s King George IV heritage pontoons, Cervia and Sundowner were ‘dressed overall’ with their......
Local residents will have noticed a striking visitor to the Royal Harbour this week, in the form of MTB 102, a historic torpedo boat. Ramsgate Maritime Museum was pleased to host this historic vessel it’s heritage pontoons in the Royal Harbour for several days. MTB......
The Clock House at the Royal Harbour, Ramsgate will be open during the summer holidays: TUESDAYS – SUNDAYS 10.30 am – 5.30 pm (SAT & SUN only From 15th Sept) S.T. Cervia will be open SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 10.30 am – 5.30 pm...