The Jenner Trust has received a £221,508 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to begin restoring Dr Jenner’s House and Garden, including The Temple of Vaccinia — the world’s first vaccination clinic.
This marks the start of Re-Jenner-ation phase 1, a five-year restoration project culminating in a global celebration at Dr Jenner’s House on 8 May 2030, the 50th anniversary of the WHO’s declaration that smallpox was eradicated.
Located in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, Dr Jenner’s House is a Grade II* listed building and museum commemorating Edward Jenner, pioneer of the smallpox vaccine in 1796. The Temple of Vaccinia, a garden hut where Jenner vaccinated the poor for free, is central to the preservation efforts.
Without this funding, the Trust warned, the site faced decay and potential closure to the public.
The project will:
- Conserve key heritage assets
- Expand public access and education
- Broaden interpretation of the vaccination story
- Support volunteers and long-term museum sustainability
The museum, which collaborates with Oxford’s Pandemic Science Institute on award-winning educational programs, invites visitors and new volunteers to engage with its mission. More at jennermuseum.com.
Dr Jonathan Steel, chairman of The Jenner Trust, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we can start conserving our site to secure the future of Dr Jenner’s House for our community, young learners, and the global vaccination story.”
