Researching, restoring and preserving the historic environment
We raise funds for projects that ensure our nation’s heritage is celebrated and protected for future generations to enjoy.
Case study: Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
The Historic England Foundation has raised over £1 million towards the restoration of the Main Mill and Kiln at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, the grandparent of the skyscraper.
Read more about how we are saving this marvel of engineering.
Case study: X-ray equipment making new discoveries
The first step in safeguarding our heritage is to understand what protection it needs.
Funding from The Wolfson Foundation enabled Historic England to buy a cutting-edge X-ray machine which is revealing new information and unexpected discoveries, such as finding a Bronze Age axe in a log coffin in Tetney, Lincolnshire, or a potential Roman Cavalry helmet in a soil block from an ancient historic site.
The equipment is helping us to gain a deeper understanding of artefacts’ construction and materials, which can help to inform better conservation and preservation practices. For example, x-raying can reveal internal structures or components that are not visible to the naked eye or find hidden damage or decay that may require attention.
We are also gaining better insights into historical production methods, techniques, and technologies, which can help researchers to better understand the historical context of the object and its significance.
Our X-ray images are helping historians and museum professionals to tell the story of how historic artefacts and buildings were created, used, and their significance, inspiring people with the history that surrounds us.
