Two local historians have successfully raised vital funding to open a brand-new town centre museum celebrating regional heritage. The dedicated research team will launch the pop-up attraction this autumn to display the unique history, buildings, and residents of West Lancashire.
From Phone Box to Premises
The community project originally started as an online social media group before expanding into a registered non-profit organisation. Volunteers previously launched a highly successful micro-museum inside a decommissioned town centre phone box to showcase local history dioramas. The team has now secured official premises from the local borough council after completing a fundraising campaign lasting several months.
Funding Sources
The upcoming heritage attraction has been funded through councillor grants, public donations, match funding, and a series of public history talks. The team includes Kathryn MacDonald, a Director of the CIC, Librarian for the Ormskirk and District Family History Society and retired professional librarian. Kathryn serves as a Director alongside Dorothy Broady-Hawkes, who has written full-page Nostalgia articles for the Ormskirk Advertiser since 2015, with more than 500 published.
Key Team Members
Dorothy is also Secretary and Trustee of Lathom Park Trust. Together, Kathryn and Dorothy have delivered dozens of talks, presentations and heritage walks to raise funds for the museum project. As part of the Hub’s Executive team, Colin MacDonald supports the project as Treasurer and Project Coordinator, including work to maintain and refurbish the phone box. Geraldine Hayes, a member of several local heritage groups, leads administration and health and safety management, helping to keep the project organised and professional.
Opening Details
The new heritage hub will feature a small informative window display for passers-by until the official licensing paperwork is completed. The original telephone box display will also remain open to help publicise upcoming cultural events across the region. The heritage hub at 16 Burscough Street, Ormskirk, will open in early September, and entry will be free.
Contact Information
You can get in touch with the heritage team for updates by emailing ormskirkhh@gmail.com.
