The Grade I-listed ‘cathedral on the marshes’ has been given full museum status by Arts Council England. The award marks the end of a four-year journey towards being officially recognised as a museum.
To become an accredited museum, the Victorian sewage plant had to prove that it meets a series of national standards. It also had to show that it is sustainable, focused and trusted as a museum.
The museum’s Visitor Experience Manager, Rob Harris, said: “The award marks the end of a long and sometimes demanding application process, but it also feels like the beginning of something.
“We have been assessed as a professionally run and trustworthy museum with a sound foundation. This gives Crossness a much firmer footing for its next stage of development, not only as the home of extraordinary engines and architecture, but as an ambitious, accessible and well-run museum with a clear sense of purpose.”
Museum accreditation arrived at Crossness at the same time as a survey confirming more than £10million in repairs and conservation work are needed across the site. Becoming a museum opens up more funding options.
“With the scale of conservation and repair needed across Crossness, access to specialist museum funding could make a very real difference,” added Rob.
Built on Erith Marshes in 1865 as part of Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s revolutionary sewage system in London, Crossness was initially an isolated site. The development of the Thamesmead estate in the 1960s brought more people to the area.
More recently, the arrival of the Elizabeth line to nearby Abbey Wood, coupled with Peabody’s regeneration work in South Thamesmead, has improved transport links and increased footfall.
Volunteers at the site have also developed their own transport links. On open days, visitors are offered a free shuttle service from Abbey Wood station on a vintage Routemaster bus. Once at the entrance, they can also hop aboard the museum’s restored narrow-gauge railway around the site.
Go to our What’s On pages to find out about upcoming events at Crossness Pumping Station, including its Steaming Day this weekend and Halloween Steampunk Spooktacular in October.
