Researching, restoring and preserving the historic environment
We raise funds for projects that ensure our nation’s heritage is celebrated and protected for future generations to enjoy.
Case study: Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
The Historic England Foundation has raised over £1 million towards the restoration of the Main Mill and Kiln at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, the grandparent of the skyscraper.
Read more about how we are saving this marvel of engineering.
Case study: X-ray equipment making new discoveries
The first step in safeguarding our heritage is to understand what protection it needs.
Funding from The Wolfson Foundation enabled Historic England to buy a cutting-edge X-ray machine which is revealing new information and unexpected discoveries, such as finding a Bronze Age axe in a log coffin in Tetney, Lincolnshire, or a potential Roman Cavalry helmet in a soil block from an ancient historic site.
The equipment helps us to understand how artefacts were constructed and what materials were used. X-raying can reveal internal structures or components that are not visible to the naked eye or find hidden damage or decay that may require attention.
As well as providing vital clues to an object's past, it can also help us to know how we can best preserve them. We are also gaining better insights into historical production methods, techniques, and technologies, which can help researchers to better understand the historical context of the object and its significance.
X-ray images help historians and museum professionals to tell the story of how historic artefacts and buildings were created and used, inspiring people with the history that surrounds us.
X-ray equipment making archaeological discoveries from the Rooswijk shipwreck
See how the X-ray equipment is revealing coins, tools and other objects from this remarkable underwater discovery.