His Royal Highness became Patron of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in 1979 following a visit to the world-famous Gorge. Since then, The Prince of Wales has visited the Ironbridge Gorge Museum many times, most recently in September 2012 when he unveiled the Museum’s newly conserved Boy & Swan Fountain.
His Royal Highness’ Patronage will extend from 2012 to 2017, the year that the Museum will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee.
The Trust, known for its ground-breaking education and conservation work in the Ironbridge Gorge, welcomes around 70,000 school visits each year and supports other museums and arts organisations with their own volunteer programmes. Having completed a major £12m redevelopment of Blists Hill Victorian Town in 2009, the Trust is currently fundraising for the redevelopment of the Museum of Iron at Coalbrookdale, the first site visited by His Royal Highness in 1979 and the museum at the heart of the World Heritage Site.
Mike Lowe, President of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that His Royal Highness has agreed to extend his Patronage for the Trust. The support of the Prince of Wales as our Patron over so many years means a great deal to all those associated with the Trust, including our many wonderful and hard-working volunteers”.