Re-Jenner-ation has begun…
Re-Jenner-ation is the museum’s 5 year plan to renew, reimagine and secure its future
In summer 2025 Dr Jenner’s House was delighted to receive a £221,508 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the first stage of their Re-Jenner-ation programme. It has enabled us to conserve the world’s first ever vaccination clinic ‘The Temple of Vaccinia’ and develop the initial plans for the museum.
Dr Edward Jenner discovered the world’s first ever vaccination here at his home in Berkeley in 1796. Now The Jenner Museum, a grade 2* listed building, it celebrates a masterpiece of human creative genius in the eradication of one of the world’s most feared diseases, smallpox. The Temple of Vaccinia is a small hut in the garden where Dr Jenner freely vaccinated the poor.
Without this funding from the Heritage Fund the world’s first ever vaccination clinic would decay, the Jenner Trust would not be able to develop its plans and fundraising for full restoration of the site, losing public access to the home of vaccination forever.
Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements of mankind. Saving the heritage at Dr Jenner’s House has a vital educational role, pivotal between the lessons of the past and the future for vaccination.
This project supported by the Heritage Fund, Re-Jenner-ation phase 1, is the foundation of a 5-year journey aiming to host an international celebration for 50 years since the WHO declared that smallpox had been eradicated, 8th May 2030, here at Dr Jenner’s House.
The funding not only saves the heritage, it allows the Trust to promote the vaccination story to include a far wider audience, improve access and interpretation of the collection. It adds value to the extensive work of the volunteers and provides a lifeline for museum’s sustainability.
Dr Jenner’s House is a very friendly place, it welcomes visitors to look round or attend one of the many events. It runs an award-winning formal education programme co-designed with the Pandemic Science Institute in Oxford and always welcomes new volunteers.
“We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players we can make a start on the conservation of our site to secure the future of Dr Jenner’s House as part of our local community, for the children who benefit from our education and for the good of vaccination worldwide.”
— Dr Jonathan Steel, Chairman of The Jenner Trust
Further information:
For further information, images and interviews please contact James Rodliff, Museum Director director@edwardjenner.co.uk or call us on 01453 810631.
