Dr Beaney

The building takes its name from its benefactor Dr James George Beaney who left money in his will to Canterbury. The City Council had the Beaney Institute designed and built using this funding alongwith some of their own resources. The architect was A.H.Campbell. The building was opened on 11 September 1899.

The building was specially designed as museum and library, and it replaced the previous museum and library in Guildhall Street. This had grown from the museum of the Canterbury Philosophical and Literary Institution which built a museum in Guildhall Street in 1825. The shell of this building, now incorporated into Debenham's store, survives at the corner of Sun Yard and has a commemorative plaque.

Many local people contributed to the fitting out of the new building, and enriched its collections. Further benefaction from the Slater family enabled the building of the Slater wing at the rear of the Beaney in 1934.

Canterbury City Council continues to own the Beaney and provides the museum and art galleries; Kent County Council is the library authority. The two councils are working in partnership on this project with the support of a range of stakeholders and funders.