Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has been awarded £350,000 in grants to preserve Commissioner’s House, the oldest intact naval residence in the country.
This funding includes a £250,000 grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation and a £100,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation, which will cover the cost of restoring and interpreting the Grade I listed scheduled ancient monument.
Built in 1704 for Captain George St Lo, Commissioner’s House has remained largely unchanged for over three centuries. As the official residence of the Dockyard Commissioner, the house played a pivotal role in British Naval history, overseeing the construction of ships like HMS Victory and serving as a strategic hub during both World Wars. Among its many treasures, the house features an exquisite ceiling painting attributed to Highmore and Thornhill, depicting an assembly of the gods, with Mars crowning Neptune – a piece originally from HMS Royal Sovereign.
The Commissioner’s House restoration project will safeguard the building’s historic fabric, protect its exhibits and collections, and improve its sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint. Enhancing physical access and broadening public engagement are also key project outcomes.
Richard Morsley, Chief Executive at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said, “We are incredibly thankful to both Foundations for their generous grants. Commissioner’s House is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture and sits proudly within the Historic Dockyard estate, which is home to over 100 historic buildings and structures, including 47 Scheduled Ancient Monuments – the largest concentration in Kent. This funding is vital in helping us preserve these important heritage assets for future generations.”
This latest funding follows a £2.3 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), administered by Arts Council England. Phase one of the project will focus on urgent restoration and preservation requirements, whilst phase two will bring the Commissioner’s House into a hybrid operation of hospitality and museum use, opening public access to the House for the first time.
The adaptive reuse as a hospitality venue aligns with national trends in preserving industrial heritage through innovative and entrepreneurial ways, ensuring the House is repurposed for contemporary needs whilst maintaining its historic character.
Commissioner’s House is scheduled to relaunch in Summer 2026.
Click here for further information on the restoration project.
