Blake Museum Marks 100 Years with National Accreditation Honour
Centenary milestone brings national recognition from Arts Council England, celebrating a century of preserving Bridgwater’s history and community heritage
Blake Museum in Bridgwater is celebrating a remarkable milestone in 2026, marking 100 years of preserving the town’s rich heritage while earning national recognition through the Museum Accreditation Scheme.
Situated in the heart of Bridgwater, Blake Museum showcases the area’s industrial past, maritime history, and cultural identity through engaging exhibitions, community events, and educational programmes.
Both locals and visitors are invited to explore Somerset’s history through the museum’s diverse offerings.
Administered by Arts Council England, Accreditation serves as a benchmark for well-managed museums and galleries across the UK.
Receiving this status demonstrates Blake Museum's commitment to caring for its collections and sharing them with future generations.
Accreditation also creates opportunities for funding, hosting touring exhibitions, and gaining professional guidance while reassuring donors and sponsors.
The scheme includes over 1,700 museums of various sizes in the UK, from volunteer-run institutions to national entities.
Additional information about the Accreditation scheme can be found on the Arts Council England website.
Cllr Liz Leavy, Chair of Blake Museum Steering Group, celebrated the achievement by saying, "This is a fantastic achievement for Blake Museum, especially as it celebrates its 100th year. The Accreditation recognises the vital role the museum plays in preserving Bridgwater’s heritage and providing a valuable cultural resource for residents and visitors alike. We are incredibly proud to support such an important community asset.
We are also very grateful to our Curator, Mike Searle and to all our dedicated volunteers for their hard work and commitment. A special thank you goes to Rachel Bellamy, Somerset Museum Development Officer, for her invaluable support."
Reflecting on the milestone, Curator Mike Searle commented, "Achieving Accreditation in our centenary year is particularly special. It reflects the hard work and commitment of our volunteers."
Stewart Richards, Chair of the Friends of Blake Museum, added, "This recognition highlights the strength of the community that supports the museum, from its volunteers to its supporters. As the Friends, we are delighted to help ensure the museum continues to thrive, building on this achievement as it enters its next century."
Emmie Kell, Director, Museums and Cultural Property at Arts Council England, expressed her satisfaction, adding, "We’re delighted that Blake Museum has been successful in gaining their Accreditation status. This means that their collections will be looked after and maintained, offering inspiration, enjoyment and learning for the local community and visitors to enjoy now and in the future."