Support Us
Welcome to the Museum of Bath at Work's support page! Your contributions sustain our mission of preserving Bath's industrial heritage. By donating, you play a vital role in our efforts to collect, conserve, and exhibit artifacts that tell the city's story of labour and industry.
Explore various support options, from one-time donations to becoming a valued member or volunteer. Your generosity enables us to engage visitors with interactive exhibits and educational programs, preserving Bath's industrial legacy for future generations. Join us in celebrating and sharing the history of this vibrant community.
Adopt a Bottle
“10 Green Bottles hanging on the wall” remember the old song?
The museum really does have hundreds of green bottles, other colours, and earthenware, some hanging on the wall. Would you like to sponsor one to bear your name or dedication?
The Museum hosts the J.B. Bowler mineral water factory, a 19th-century Bath enterprise producing carbonated drinks like Orange Champagne and Dry Ginger Ale. Emphasising reuse, bottles were extensively recycled. In today's Climate Emergency, lessons from this era are vital for integrating "return, reuse, recycle" into habits. The Museum displays diverse, colourful bottles, offering opportunities to adopt one for honouring individuals, commemorating events, or supporting the Museum. Join us in preserving history and promoting sustainability.
In return for your donation:
- Your name and your dedication will be prominently displayed in the Museum
- Your bottle will have a handwritten label attached with your dedication message
- And your bottle will be added to our spectacular chandelier display of bottles in the main gallery space – the display will grow as more bottle are added
Maybe you buy several cups of coffee each month at around £3.50 a cup. Could you donate £10 each month to the Museum or a little more?
If you are a UK taxpayer, opting-in to Gift Aid enables us to reclaim an additional 25% Gift Aid Tax from the Government at no extra cost to you – so your £10 becomes £12.50. Download a Gift aid form.
Have you thought about how a bequest in your Will could support the Museum?
Legacy giving is a great way to ensure that the things you care about continue to be there for future generations.
The Museum of Bath at Work would not exist without the legacies given to us by the late Russell Frears, one of the founders, and the late Elspeth Fyfe, amongst many others.
If you would like to discuss legacy giving and how it could benefit the Museum, please contact us at info@bath-at-work.org.uk or download legacy giving information for further information.
If you do not have a Will, or already have a Will and wish to add a legacy to the Museum, you will need to contact your solicitor. The solicitor will need these details: Bath Industrial Heritage Trust Ltd, charity number 800297.
Our Fundraising Campaign continues throughout 2024
The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound impact, halting our museum's income from admissions and shop sales during closures. Visitor numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, while operational costs, including utilities, rise. With an annual running cost of £67,000, we rely on £30,000 in donations and grants annually. We seek support from small trusts, foundations, and individuals, emphasizing the significance of regular contributions.
Your monthly donation ensures stable income, vital for sustaining our unique museum of working life in Bath for current and future generations. Your support matters greatly; please donate today, and consider Gift Aid.
Help keep the Museum open – every donation helps
Or donate online by bank transfer:
Payee: Bath Industrial Heritage Trust Limited
Bank Name: Barclays
Sort Code: 20-05-06
Account Number: 23821072
Or donate by cheque:
Payee: Bath Industrial Heritage Trust Limited
Address:
The Museum of Bath at Work
Julian Road, Bath
BA1 2RH
United Kingdom
Did you know...
- We are a charity (Bath Industrial Heritage Trust Ltd, Registered Charity 800297)
- It costs £1,300 EACH WEEK to keep the Museum open
- The cost of putting on exhibitions and special projects is extra
- We rely on income from admissions and the Museum shop, and donations from visitors and supporters to keep the Museum open
- Independent museums like the Museum of Bath at Work do not receive any funding from local or central government
- The Covid pandemic meant we had to close the Museum for more than seven months out of twelve, with complete loss of income
Join us as a volunteer
The year-round, day-to-day running of the museum is entirely thanks to our fantastic team of volunteers. We have just one paid member of staff, the Museum Director, so our volunteers are the backbone of the organisation – we couldn’t open to the public without them.
Volunteers assist with every aspect of the Museum’s operation – welcoming visitors at the front desk, giving guided tours, helping with schools visits, maintaining and cleaning historic machinery, cataloguing archives, office administration, and running special events such as talks and film showings.
We really do have something for everyone, and you’re sure to meet like-minded people. Whether you’re a ‘people person’ and like helping visitors, or whether you prefer to work with archives or machinery – everyone is welcome to join our friendly team. And you don’t have to be knowledgeable about the Museum’s collections – training will be provided.
Do you have time to contribute?
Whether it’s a regular weekly or monthly commitment, or occasional one-off help – we would love to hear from you!
Please email info@bath-at-work.org.uk or ring the Museum Director on 01225 318348.
Join our Friends today
We couldn’t do it without our Friends! Becoming a Friend of the Museum will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting a unique museum with your membership subscription. You’ll meet new people, make new friends, and enjoy social events, and your financial support is a huge boost to our fundraising.
In the past few years, the Friends have raised funds for exhibitions, new display equipment, WiFi network, computer upgrades and a digital phone system.
Whether you chose monthly or annual membership, you will receive free admission for you and immediate family to the Museum, regular email newsletters, Director’s behind the scenes tours, preferential access to activities and virtual events, free access to archives and non-displayed items and invitations to social events.
For more information, email the Museum at info@bath-at-work.org.uk or ring the Museum Director on 01225 318348.
