A MUSEUM in Carlisle is to conserve and display 40 outfits for the first time thanks to a new grant.

Tullie House, on Castle Street, has received a total of £252,000 for their project ‘Dressed to Impress’, which looks at changing fashion styles dating from 1720 onwards.

The centre was one of 35 arts venues nationwide to get a slice of £4 million from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.

The new display has been hailed as a ‘major new addition’ to the galleries at Tullie House, and aims to transform visitor experience.

Museum director Andrew Mackay told the News & Star: “We are delighted that DCMS Wolfson will be investing in this stunning collection of national significance.

“The grant will allow us to shine a light on a hidden collection whilst also revealing parts of the building’s beautiful original architecture.”

The fund is a collaboration between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity which supports the fields of science, health, education and the arts.

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “We are delighted to provide this funding through our longstanding partnership with DCMS - an excellent example of how we as a charity can work together fruitfully with government.

“We are grateful to DCMS for matching our funding.

“One of the great treasures of this country is the sheer quality and range of our heritage collections - stored and displayed in wonderful museums and galleries.

“This funding will help to provide even better visitor experiences and greater awareness of these fascinating collections.”

Arts, heritage and tourism minister Michael Ellis added: “Our museums and galleries are among the best in the world and we are rightly proud of these institutions.

“The DCMS/Wolfson Fund demonstrates how the Government and philanthropic organisations can work together to boost our museum sector.

“We want people up and down the country to enjoy culture and heritage wherever they are.

“The 35 grants awarded today will make important contributions towards improving the visitor experience, ensuring our wonderful collections are open to as many people as possible.”

Tullie House has a collection of more than 7,000 pieces of costume.

The pieces have been used in many of the museum’s temporary exhibitions, including ‘Little Black Dress’ in 2011, ‘Hartness to Amies’ in 2013 and ‘Rayne: Shoes for Stars’ in 2018.

It will be the first time since the museum was re-developed in 1992 that there will be a dedicated costume gallery for this collection.

The funding will also allow conservation work to take place on key pieces, many of which have never been on display before.

The exhibition will be brought up to date with a celebration of diversity of fashion in the city.