Three sites in Northumberland join North East Museums

Three Northumberland museums have joined the North East Museums Partnership, bringing the number of museums and galleries managed by the organisation to 12. 

Formerly known as Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, the partnership announced last year that it was rebranding and expanding its museum portfolio into Northumberland.

As of 1 April, it will now manage Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum as part of a shared services arrangement with Northumberland County Council. 

The venues were previously looked after by an independent charity, Woodhorn Charitable Trust, also known by the public-facing name Museums Northumberland, which was due to be wound down at the end of the financial year 2024/25.

North East Museums already manages nine sites on behalf of Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Newcastle University.

They are: Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort, Discovery Museum, Great North Museum: Hancock, Hatton Gallery, the Laing Art Gallery, Segedunum Roman Fort, Shipley Art Gallery, South Shields Museum and Stephenson Steam Railway. 

Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, said: “We’ve been working closely with the team at the Northumberland museums and with Northumberland County Council over the last six months on the transition of management arrangements and we’re looking forward to putting it all into action today. 

“Visitors should be assured that they can continue to use their annual passes and should expect the same high-quality experience they’ve always received.” 

Simon Neilson, executive director of place and regeneration at Northumberland County Council, added: “Our county is steeped in heritage and culture and full of key attractions for both residents and visitors.

“We're delighted to be joining the North East Museums Partnership and are confident it will provide an even better offer to our residents, the north east region and our visitors from around the world.”

North East Museums attracts almost 800,000 visits a year to its venues and cares for 1.1 million collection items. 

The partnership is funded by five local authority partners, as well as by Newcastle University and Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation. It raises additional income through fundraising and its commercial enterprises.