Last summer I worked as one of the volunteers auditing the Ramsgate Maritime Museum collection. This was in response to an appeal by The Ramsgate Society for volunteers and that I am the Ramsgate Town Council Representative on the Clock House Museum focus group.
The collection itself had been at risk for several years with many objects in storage since the 1980s. Most of the archive had not been accessed since 2008 and as a result, the system was very outdated.
The task ahead was a big challenge as each individual object had to be measured, photographed and entered onto a new database. Like the other volunteers, I was spurred on by the knowledge that the project is very important to the restoration of Ramsgate’s Heritage.
In total, over one thousand objects were recorded. Many had been in storage boxes for over 30 years, some showing signs of neglect. What really stood out to me was the quality of the art collection, the diversity of the objects and the large amount of photography. Each item being handled and stored to professional museum standards.
I was particularly impressed by the objects attributed by the people who worked in the Ramsgate fishing industry back in the day. Within this collection are items found in fishermen’s nets that were donated to the museum.
It is with much relief that I found that within the museum’s collection, the entire history of the Royal Harbour can be told. I am sure that when the museum is up and running it will be something we as residents of Ramsgate can be proud of.
Written by:
Councillor Tony Ovenden
Sir Moses Montefiore Ward