COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The museum commemorates the poet William Cowper, who lived in the house from 1768 to 1786, and his friend the preacher, hymnwriter and slave trade abolitionist John Newton (author of 'Amazing Grace'). It holds an important collection of lace and items relating to the archaeology and history of Olney and its surrounding villages. The historic gardens include Cowper's original summer house/study.
Latest income
£105k
Latest spending
£91k
Registered
1962
Trustees
- TOM JONESchair
- AMANDA MOLCHER
- David George Purvis
- Elaine Vera Merchant
- GEOFFREY SWINDELLS
- Liam George Good
- Malcolm John Jones
- Pamela Daley
- Trevor Aldred
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2026 | £105k | £91k |
| 31/01/2025 | £117k | £121k |
| 31/01/2024 | £172k | £223k |
| 31/01/2023 | £185k | £138k |
| 31/01/2022 | £74k | £54k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 12/01/2022 | £99k | "Amazing Grace 250- Celebrating a Diverse Legacy" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/08/2020 | £16k | "COVID19 Cowper and Newton Museum" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/08/2017 | £94k | "Cowper and Newton Revisited" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 04/01/2007 | £49k | "From Slave Trade to Fair Trade' - Commemorating 200 Years since the Abolition of the Slave Trade" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 20/09/2006 | £235k | "Acquisition and Interpretation of the Cowper Johnson Archive" |