A UK museum founded by the son of the last Sikh Maharaja of Punjab has been awarded a significant grant of nearly 200k pounds. The Ancient House Museum, gifted to the town of Thetford by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh in 1924, will use the funding to share the remarkable stories of the Duleep Singh family through its exhibits, events, and activities. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, known for its support of heritage projects across the UK, provided the grant as the museum approaches its centenary year in 2024.
Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities at Norfolk County Council, expressed gratitude for Prince Frederick Duleep Singh’s foresight and generosity in preserving the history of Thetford and the surrounding area through the Ancient House Museum. She described the grant as a means to better serve the diverse communities and foster a deeper appreciation for this significant aspect of the town’s heritage.
The museum’s displays will recount the captivating tales of the broader Duleep Singh family, including Prince Frederick and his remarkable sisters, Princesses Sophia and Catherine Duleep Singh, both of whom played crucial roles in advocating for women’s political and private autonomy. Furthermore, visitors will be treated to a captivating ‘Treasury’ style exhibit showcasing the treasures of Anglo-Punjab history, as well as a scale model of Elveden Hall. Additionally, personal items like the Maharajah’s walking stick, gifted to him by the future King Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales, will be on display. This particular artifact was generously donated to the museum in 2023.
Councillor Robert Kybird, Chairman of the Breckland Area Museums Committee, lauded the grant, believing it will further elevate Thetford as a favored destination for visiting Sikhs. This funding comes as interest in the Duleep Singhs continues to grow, with various forms of media such as films, articles, TV and radio programs, books, and annual Punjab festivals in Thetford attracting thousands of attendees.
The journey of Ancient House Museum as a public museum begins with Prince Frederick Duleep Singh’s purchase of the rare timbered Tudor house, securing it for the people of Thetford as a charitable ‘Public Museum’ with the Council as Trustee. Since opening its doors on December 11, 1924, the museum underwent its last major redesign between 2004 and 2006.
Additional funding for the two-year project has been sourced from various organizations, including the Thetford Town Council community grant, the Friends of Thetford Museum, Norfolk County Council, and Arts Council England through the Norfolk Museum Service’s National Portfolio Organization grant.
The youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Duleep Singh ascended to the throne of Punjab at the tender age of five before being dethroned following British annexation in 1849. He arrived in England at the age of 15 and resided in Elveden Hall, nestled in the Suffolk countryside.
By uncovering the captivating history of the Duleep Singhs, the Ancient House Museum will continue to serve as a testament to their legacy, inviting visitors from all walks of life to explore their extraordinary journey.
