Upgraded lift restores full building accessibility to Lichfield based museum
Erasmus Darwin House Museum today announced the successful completion of its major lift renovation project, ensuring full accessibility across all exhibition floors. This vital infrastructure upgrade at the museum set in the former home of Erasmus Darwin, a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse, was made possible through a collaborative funding effort from HS2’s Community and Environment Fund, the Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, The Friends of Erasmus Darwin House, the Lichfield Conduit Lands Trust, and a generous anonymous donor. Their collective financial backing secured the modernised engineering and safety improvements needed to reopen the lift, guaranteeing a barrier-free experience for everyone in the community.
The restoration project targeted the museum’s ageing lift system, replacing outdated components with reliable, energy-efficient technology. This upgrade eliminates previous service disruptions and ensures that wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, and visitors with limited mobility can comfortably reach every area of the museum.
“We are incredibly grateful to HS2, the Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust, the Lichfield Conduit Lands Trust, our dedicated Friends group, and our anonymous benefactor for their vital investment in our museum’s future. Accessibility is a core value for us, and this joint funding directly removes physical barriers, allowing every visitor to experience the remarkable legacy of Dr Erasmus Darwin equally.”
– Marie Burbage, Manager
With the lift fully operational, Erasmus Darwin House continues its mission to provide an inclusive look into 18th-century science, poetry, and philosophy. Visitors can now seamlessly explore the entire
About the Funding Partners
This project was brought to fruition through diverse local and national support:
- HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF): The CEF has been created by HS2 to add benefit to communities along the route that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of HS2. Further information on this funding programme can be found here.
- Swinfen Broun Charitable Trust: A Lichfield-based funder dedicated to community improvements and asset repair.
- The Friends of Erasmus Darwin House: A vital volunteer fundraising group supporting the museum.
- Lichfield Conduit Lands Trust: A historic, 450-year-old local charity funding city infrastructure and well-being
