Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust has been looking after the Bridge for over 70 years. This involves not only caring for the 160-year-old Grade 1 listed structure, but also curating its history by carefully collecting and preserving a wide range of papers, technical drawings, photographs, souvenirs, and other objects relating to the bridge and increasing our understanding of its story.
The first Visitor Centre dedicated to the Bridge’s history was opened in rented premises in an old Victorian hotel – Bridge House – in Clifton in 1997. Displays included a huge scale model of the bridge and Avon Gorge, and a suspension bridge children could walk across. In 2006 the Visitor Centre relocated to a temporary portacabin in Leigh Woods which featured a huge timeline outlining the bridge’s history: the result of extensive research into its design and construction. A permanent purpose-built public museum building was opened by HRH the Princess Royal in 2014 with displays exploring the design construction, maintenance and use of the bridge right up until the present day.
With the help of our fantastic volunteer team, over the last decade we have welcomed more than half a million people through our doors to explore our free permanent exhibition, be inspired through a range of workshops and activities, and to delve into the Bridge’s fascinating history by taking part in guided tours of the Bridge – including its secret vaults.
In recent years, we have been working to make our collections more accessible whilst still preserving them for future generations. In 2017 the Trust appointed an Archivist to catalogue and care for the thousands of documents, records and objects relating to the bridge’s history and its current management. Our Archivist not only ensures that the collections are carefully preserved and safely accessed, but also conducts research into the bridge’s history and accessions new items through contemporary collecting or object donation.
Images and descriptions of artefacts are available online and we now have a reading room for people to access our collections by appointment for free.
Last year, following an intensive three year application process, we also became an Accredited Museum. Awarded by the Arts Council England, Museum Accreditation is UK-wide standard that shows that our historic collections are managed professionally for the benefit of the public. To celebrate our new Museum Accreditation status, we will no longer be known as the Visitor Centre. From 1st October 2024, our new name will be the ‘Clifton Suspension Bridge & Museum’.
With our new status in place, we plan to increase access to our collections by redeveloping the displays inside our Museum. This development is dependent on grant funding, alongside your donations and ticket purchases. Over the next few years your support will be vital in helping us to get more of our amazing artefacts out on display.
If you wish to know more about our collections, or have your own bridge story to tell, please contact: Hannah Little, email: archives@cliftonbridge.org.uk
If you would like to help share the Bridge’s heritage with others and would like to know more about different volunteering opportunities, please contact: Emily Larsen, email: getinvolved@cliftonbridge.org.