Mrs Smith’s Cottage museum, run by North Kesteven District Council, has once again achieved Museum Accreditation from Arts Council England, marking a major milestone in its journey back from closure to national recognition.
The museum in Navenby showcases a simple way of life, whilst offering a window into the past that is relevant to the present. It tells the story of Mrs Hilda Smith, who was well-loved in the village she resided in until she was 102, and the contents and appearance of the cottage have been preserved from when she last lived there in 1995.
The museum was originally accredited before serious structural issues forced its closure in 2013. Reaccreditation was identified as a key objective of the subsequent National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported restoration project. It saw the historic cottage conserved and repaired before the coronavirus pandemic delayed the reopening to visitors until August 2020.
Since then, the team has worked to ensure the museum meets the rigorous standards required by the Museum Accreditation Scheme. Museum Accreditation is the UK industry standard for museums and galleries, administered by Arts Council England.
Over the past two years, staff have focused on developing policies and procedures, strengthening collections management and demonstrating best practice across all areas of its operation.
The successful application confirms that Mrs Smith’s Cottage meets nationally recognised standards for governance, collections care, visitor experience and organisational sustainability.
This comes less than a year after the museum was awarded a 2025 VisitEngland Hidden Gem Accolade.
Councillor Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said: “We are very proud that Mrs Smith’s Cottage has regained Museum Accreditation.
“This achievement reflects the dedication, professionalism and perseverance of the team and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to bring the museum back to life following its closure and the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Accreditation is the benchmark of quality for museums across the country and this recognition, as well as last year’s VisitEngland award, confirms that Mrs Smith’s Cottage is providing an excellent visitor experience while caring for its unique collections to the highest standards.
