The Maison Dieu website showcases the £10.5m restoration of Dover’s Town Hall
A new website (www.maisondieudover.org.uk) showcasing Dover’s historic Town Hall has been launched as the £10.5m Lottery-funded restoration of the Maison Dieu gets underway in earnest in January 2023.
Designed to be viewed on smartphones, tablets and desktop computers, the website is accessible for a range of user groups and is screen-reader friendly.
800-year history
The website tells the 800-year history of the Grade I Listed Maison Dieu, from its foundation as a medieval pilgrims’ hospital, to Royal Navy victualling yard, through to its Victorian re-modelling as a civic and judicial powerhouse, to today’s much-loved community and cultural venue.
Online project blogs and news features will allow people to follow progress of the restoration and learn more about the work of a team of heritage conservation experts at work on the building and its rich collection of artefacts.
An on-going programme of events will allow people to visit the Maison Dieu at certain times to see the building’s transformation, along with outreach events at other local venues.
Once complete in late 2024 the Maison Dieu will be permanently open to the public for the first time in its 800-year history.
Future development of the website will include an online box office and ticketing for events with the Maison Dieu expected to become a major venue in the town.
Cllr Oliver Richardson, Dover District Council’s cabinet member for corporate property, said: “Helping more people to appreciate the history of the Maison Dieu is a key aim of our Lottery-funded restoration. The new website is a great way to showcase the history and restoration of this remarkable building.”