26/11/2013

Brighton's 'The Keep' Opens

Brighton's 'The Keep' Opens
Housing archives up to 900 years old, The Keep has newly opened this November. This brand new historical centre is set to become the educational and community centre for East Sussex, the University of Sussex and Brighton and Hove.
 
Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at The Keep opening
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the archive centre in October on their visit to Sussex. It has now opened to the public.
 
Built by national construction contractor Kier, this state-of-the-art historical centre will bring the community together with its past. The Keep will provide a home for all the archives of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove and the special collections of the University of Sussex. The building will also include the library and headquarters of the Sussex Family History Group.
 
Part of cementing The Keep’s longevity has been the inclusion of a number of sustainable technologies into the design of the project. Started in 2011 with investment from the Government, the building incorporates natural light to save on electricity, solar PV panels, reusing rainwater and a 300kW Herz Biomatic biomass boiler from Rural Energy.
 
Over six miles of archives, documenting the lives of individuals, places and events can now be found at The Keep, including written records, maps, plans, films, photographs, prints and drawings. It is the new home for collections of local, national and international importance.
 
The Government want The Keep to become a vibrant community resource where all the collections can be seen under one roof for the first time. The new building will be open to anyone who wants to use the public search rooms and facilities. Participation across all ages and sections of the community will be encouraged including schools and colleges, volunteers, community groups and local organisations.
 
The Keep is located next to the University of Sussex and is now home to the University’s archives. The biomass boiler will provide essential heat to maintain the archives and heat and hot water for the community centre which includes classrooms, a public reading/study room and conservation labs.
 
The site has good bus and rail links and good access to major roads. Construction work began in 2011 and The Keep is now open to the public to welcome an estimated 16,000 visitors each year.