Image: Cannon Hall Museum, Barnsley (DaveGorman)
The nearly £1m of repairs will address urgent issues with the main block’s roof.
Cannon Hall Museum in Barnsley has begun a crucial roof repair project, funded by a substantial grant from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND).
The Grade II*-listed Georgian Country House is undergoing essential work to replace its failing rock asphalt roof with a fully ventilated lead roof. The project, which commenced on August 19, 2024, aims to preserve the historic building and secure the future of its collections.
Awarded £898,405 from MEND, the repairs will address urgent issues with the main block’s roof. The project scope includes replacing defective roofing, installing new patent glazed rooflights, and conducting stonework repairs to chimneys, parapets, and cornices.
The project is expected to conclude in early 2025. The museum will remain open throughout the duration of the works.
Pete Massey, Director Yorkshire and the Humber, Arts Council England said: “The museum, based in an 18th century building, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Barnsley every year and it’s vital to ensure that the collections and the building itself are protected and preserved so that the local community and visitors can continue to enjoy the exhibitions and events in the future.
”It’s also fantastic that the work will help increase the museum’s resilience to the changing climate condition and improve its environmental sustainability.”
