Mausolea and Monuments Trust facts for kids
The Mausolea and Monuments Trust is a special charity that works to protect and save important old tombs and monuments. These are found across Great Britain and Ireland. A "mausoleum" is a large, grand building built as a tomb. It is often for one person or a family. The Trust was started in 1997 by Jill Allibone, who studied old buildings. Tim Knox, who was the first chairman of the Trust, once said it was "the dottiest conservation cause in the land." This meant he thought it was a very unique and unusual cause to protect old things.
What the Trust Does
The Mausolea and Monuments Trust has an important job. It makes sure that old mausolea and other funerary monuments are kept safe. This means they work to stop these buildings from falling apart. They also help to fix them up when needed. Their main goal is to preserve these historical structures for future generations. This way, people can continue to learn from and appreciate them.
Protecting Important Buildings
The Trust is directly responsible for six special mausolea. These are important historical sites that they actively look after. Each of these buildings has its own unique history and design. By caring for them, the Trust helps to keep a piece of history alive.
- The Bateman Mausoleum in Morley, Derbyshire
- The Heathcote Mausoleum in Hursley, Hampshire
- The Wynne Ellis Mausoleum in Whitstable, Kent
- The Nash Mausoleum in Farningham, Kent
- The Guise Mausoleum in Elmore, Gloucestershire
- The Boileau Mausoleum in Ketteringham, Norfolk
Sharing Knowledge
The Trust also helps people learn more about mausolea. They publish a regular magazine called Mausolus. This magazine shares stories and information about these unique buildings. They also keep a special list, or "gazetteer," of mausolea. This list includes all the known mausolea in Great Britain and Ireland. It helps researchers and anyone interested to find out where these monuments are located.
