Caroline Cole becomes trustee of the Horniman Museum and Gardens

Our founder Caroline Cole was appointed by the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale as a trustee of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, where she will also chair the Capitial Projects Board.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens opened in 1901 as a gift to the people in perpetuity from tea trader and philanthropist Frederick John Horniman, to ‘bring the world to Forest Hill’. Today the Horniman has a collection of 350,000 objects, specimens and artefacts from around the world. Its galleries include natural history, anthropology, music and an acclaimed aquarium. Indoor exhibits link to the award-winning display gardens – from food and dye gardens to an interactive sound garden – set among 16 acres of beautiful, green space offering spectacular views across London.

The Musem is core-funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and since 1990 has been governed by an independent charitable trust. The Horniman Museum and Gardens also receives funding from Arts Council England as one of its Major partner museums.

Caroline Cole says:

“The Horniman Museum is one of the most eclectic and therefore delightful museums in London: steeped in Victorian eccentricity, bizarrely diverse and yet confidently reaching out to the 21^st century.  As a south Londoner I am both delighted and privileged to take up this amazing appointment.“