The Beaney an Art Museum and Library situated in the heart of the historic city of Canterbury which was originally built with funds bequeathed by Dr J. G. Beaney and opened in 1899. An extension was then added with funds from the Slater family and opened in 1934. The building was refurbished and extended by Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council between February 2009 and April 2012, supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund with major funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, European Union, Interreg, East Kent Partnership and a range of donors including the Friends of Canterbury Museums. Following this careful repair and restoration project, the building will re-open to the public in September 2012. The building takes its name from its benefactor, Dr James George Beaney, who died in 1891 and left money in his will to the city of Canterbury. The city council had the Beaney Institute (as it was formally known) designed and built using this funding, along with some of its own resources. 65 colour illustrations
