Bodmin Keep is in urgent need of structural repair. Built as a depot for the Cornish Militia and Volunteers in 1859, it's now home to Cornwall's Army Museum. The Keep is a unique part of Cornwall’s heritage. Join us in our fight to save it.

Our History

Bodmin Keep is the historic home of the Army in Cornwall. Built in 1859, it is the place where the volunteer militia rallied for training under threat of invasion by the French; it was the headquarters of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry; it’s where Cornishmen first enlisted and then were conscripted, for the First World War; where British soldiers trained for World War II and where the US 29th Infantry Division (115th) prepared for D-Day and the Normandy landings. It’s also home of The Light Infantry Archive, a place of Remembrance and ‘a hidden gem of a museum.’ 

As we reach the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the future of the Keep is in jeopardy.

Why do we need your help?

In August 2024 structural problems requiring urgent repair were discovered and the building was closed to the public, leaving the museum with no visitors and no ticket sales.

Now Bodmin Keep is fighting for its survival: repairs promised for completion by Spring 2025 are on hold, so the museum can’t re-open. Cornwall’s Regimental Museum CIO is using the funds it holds in reserve to survive. 

We have a plan for the future…

Cornwall’s Regimental Museum CIO will take ownership of the building and carry out repairs with funds from the Ministry of Defence. We will fundraise to upgrade the facilities at the Keep to create a modern-day museum.

…but we urgently need additional funds to keep operational while we achieve it.

While we might not be welcoming visitors through our doors, we are continuing to work on exhibitions, education and outreach in the community and care for our collection and archives.

Funding from this appeal will be used to cover running costs and bridge the gap until the repair project gets underway.

Many civilians walked through the gates of Bodmin Keep on route to serving their country in times of need. Now we need your support to keep the gates open and to preserve and transform this living memorial. 

Make a donation and help Cornwall’s Regimental Museum CIO to survive, to sustain and to transform for the future.