Celebrating 25 Years as a House Museum
The 2009 Season at Fairfax House starts on 14 February and runs through until the end of the year.
This year Fairfax House celebrates 25 years since it was opened by the Duchess of Kent to the public as a House Museum.
Over the past 25 years there have been significant events at Fairfax House, including the acquisition of portraits of Anne Fairfax and her mother; the Eat Drink and be Merry exhibition and the purchase and lease back agreement with the York Conservation Trust which secures the future of Fairfax House indefinitely.
Several of the events in 2009 look back over the years and capture some of the special moments. Some of those memories are seen in the ‘Silver Screen Week’ (14 to 20 Sept) which remembers Fairfax House when it was owned by St George’s Cinema Company (1921 to 1965). A temporary marquee cinema space will be in the back of the House allowing some of the old films that were originally shown to be screened again. These will include: ‘The General’ with Buster Keaton, ‘The Wicked Lady’ with Margaret Lockwood, James Mason and Frank Sinatra and ‘This Sporting Life’ with Richard Harris. There will also be a chance to find out more about cinema in York in The History of Cinema in York illustrated lecture (20 Sept, 10.00 -12 noon) - at one time there were 10 cinema buildings in the City.
The Restoration of Fairfax House will be marked by a special champagne event(29 Nov, 2pm) with talks and presentations by some of the people who were involved from the very beginning. Also to mark the birthday date there will be an Edwardian Party at Middlethorpe Hall in York (30 Oct, 5.45pm), who also celebrate their 25th year anniversary, where party-goers will be entertained by food historian Sara Paston Williams author of the best selling book ‘The Art of Dining’,who has worked alongside the head chef to provide an Edwardian meal full of interest and appeal.
Jewellery and chocolate continue to link Fairfax to Middlethorpe Hall again this season with Death By Chocolate (22 Sept, 2.30pm) an illustrated talk and demonstration by food historian Ivan Day exploring the early introduction of chocolate to England which is also part of the 2009 York Food & Drink Festival and Jewellery Through Time (26 May, 10am – 3pm), where BBC 1’s Antique Road Show Jewellery Specialist, Geoffrey Munn will be on hand to value and discuss interesting pieces of jewellery.
There will be three exhibitions this year opening with The Banquet (1 Mar – 30 Aug). This exhibition charts the evolution of these exotic sweetmeats and the objects used to present them at table. For the first time Fairfax House collaborates with the V & A in London. Its Contemporary Art from the V & A (26 Sept to 31 Dec) exhibition is a stunning display of gold and silver from the Rabinovitch collection. Over 40 artists working in Britain were commissioned to produce works of art based upon the theme of fish and cake servers, essential items for the Georgian dining and tea tables. The result is unique and a wonderful testament to the skill, design abilities and humour of these artist craftsmen. The annual Christmas exhibition The Keeping of Christmas (1 to 31 Dec) sees the House decorated for Christmas based on evidence from the Georgian period and this year includes a new Christmas commission from the world-famous flower arranger George Smith inspired by the 18th century.
The Special Tours programme starts with The Cabinet of Curiosity (24 Mar, 9 Apr, 8 July, 7pm) a new tour revealing some of the ingenious secret compartments and hidden drawers in many of the pieces in the Noel Terry collection as seen on BBC’s Flog It! Behind the Scenes at the Museum (7 Apr, 11 Nov 7pm) looks at a selection from over 1,000 documents in the Fairfax papers which have miraculously survived in the Newburgh mss. By popular request the Walking With The Georgians tour (6 Sept, 11am) returns, exploring the Georgian treasures in the city which will include the Mansion House, the Assembly Rooms and John Carr’s famous Assizes. Some of House’s many 16thC devotional paintings, 17thC Dutch still life and maritime scenes, together with 18thC and 19thC portraiture will be explored in A Passion for Paintings (28 May, 24 Aug 7pm); Horologist, David Barker tells how he cares for the 17th century and early 18 century English clocks in the House in a Clocks & Watches tour (15 June & 30 June 7pm ); Grandparents Day (4 Oct, 12.30pm) is again celebrated with a special tour looking at how the Georgians lived from a young person’s perspective and the Candlelight Experience (26 Oct, 7pm) will give visitors a magical glimpse of what it was like to live and study by candlelight.
Love and Adultery (17 Mar, 7pm) is the theme of the illustrated talk by Hannah Greig, lecturer in 18th century studies at the University of York. She will explore some of the 18th century scandals and the remarkable media coverage they sparked.
Fairfax House Director, Peter Brown said: “This is a tremendously exciting year for us. We are delighted to be celebrating 25 years and offering visitors the chance to look back over the centuries with us enjoying films, partying and some fascinating tours, lectures and demonstrations. Fairfax House is widely recognised as the finest Georgian townhouse in England and can be enjoyed and appreciated by the visitor to York as well as local residents.”
In addition to the above events, Fairfax House is open from 14th February to the end of December on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11am - 4.30pm and Sunday 1.30pm - 4.30pm for self-guided tours. Fridays guided tours only at 11am and 2pm. It also runs exclusive evening group tours with a Georgian flavour. These cost £25 which includes wine and canapés and must be booked in advance.
For more detailed information about any of the activities planned for 2009, please
visit Fairfax House website at www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk, email info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk or ring 01904 655543.
ends
Press Contacts:
Peter Brown Tel: 01904 655543 peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
Melanie Paris Tel: 01904 647408 hello@melanieparis.com
Over the past 25 years there have been significant events at Fairfax House, including the acquisition of portraits of Anne Fairfax and her mother; the Eat Drink and be Merry exhibition and the purchase and lease back agreement with the York Conservation Trust which secures the future of Fairfax House indefinitely.
Several of the events in 2009 look back over the years and capture some of the special moments. Some of those memories are seen in the ‘Silver Screen Week’ (14 to 20 Sept) which remembers Fairfax House when it was owned by St George’s Cinema Company (1921 to 1965). A temporary marquee cinema space will be in the back of the House allowing some of the old films that were originally shown to be screened again. These will include: ‘The General’ with Buster Keaton, ‘The Wicked Lady’ with Margaret Lockwood, James Mason and Frank Sinatra and ‘This Sporting Life’ with Richard Harris. There will also be a chance to find out more about cinema in York in The History of Cinema in York illustrated lecture (20 Sept, 10.00 -12 noon) - at one time there were 10 cinema buildings in the City.
The Restoration of Fairfax House will be marked by a special champagne event(29 Nov, 2pm) with talks and presentations by some of the people who were involved from the very beginning. Also to mark the birthday date there will be an Edwardian Party at Middlethorpe Hall in York (30 Oct, 5.45pm), who also celebrate their 25th year anniversary, where party-goers will be entertained by food historian Sara Paston Williams author of the best selling book ‘The Art of Dining’,who has worked alongside the head chef to provide an Edwardian meal full of interest and appeal.
Jewellery and chocolate continue to link Fairfax to Middlethorpe Hall again this season with Death By Chocolate (22 Sept, 2.30pm) an illustrated talk and demonstration by food historian Ivan Day exploring the early introduction of chocolate to England which is also part of the 2009 York Food & Drink Festival and Jewellery Through Time (26 May, 10am – 3pm), where BBC 1’s Antique Road Show Jewellery Specialist, Geoffrey Munn will be on hand to value and discuss interesting pieces of jewellery.
There will be three exhibitions this year opening with The Banquet (1 Mar – 30 Aug). This exhibition charts the evolution of these exotic sweetmeats and the objects used to present them at table. For the first time Fairfax House collaborates with the V & A in London. Its Contemporary Art from the V & A (26 Sept to 31 Dec) exhibition is a stunning display of gold and silver from the Rabinovitch collection. Over 40 artists working in Britain were commissioned to produce works of art based upon the theme of fish and cake servers, essential items for the Georgian dining and tea tables. The result is unique and a wonderful testament to the skill, design abilities and humour of these artist craftsmen. The annual Christmas exhibition The Keeping of Christmas (1 to 31 Dec) sees the House decorated for Christmas based on evidence from the Georgian period and this year includes a new Christmas commission from the world-famous flower arranger George Smith inspired by the 18th century.
The Special Tours programme starts with The Cabinet of Curiosity (24 Mar, 9 Apr, 8 July, 7pm) a new tour revealing some of the ingenious secret compartments and hidden drawers in many of the pieces in the Noel Terry collection as seen on BBC’s Flog It! Behind the Scenes at the Museum (7 Apr, 11 Nov 7pm) looks at a selection from over 1,000 documents in the Fairfax papers which have miraculously survived in the Newburgh mss. By popular request the Walking With The Georgians tour (6 Sept, 11am) returns, exploring the Georgian treasures in the city which will include the Mansion House, the Assembly Rooms and John Carr’s famous Assizes. Some of House’s many 16thC devotional paintings, 17thC Dutch still life and maritime scenes, together with 18thC and 19thC portraiture will be explored in A Passion for Paintings (28 May, 24 Aug 7pm); Horologist, David Barker tells how he cares for the 17th century and early 18 century English clocks in the House in a Clocks & Watches tour (15 June & 30 June 7pm ); Grandparents Day (4 Oct, 12.30pm) is again celebrated with a special tour looking at how the Georgians lived from a young person’s perspective and the Candlelight Experience (26 Oct, 7pm) will give visitors a magical glimpse of what it was like to live and study by candlelight.
Love and Adultery (17 Mar, 7pm) is the theme of the illustrated talk by Hannah Greig, lecturer in 18th century studies at the University of York. She will explore some of the 18th century scandals and the remarkable media coverage they sparked.
Fairfax House Director, Peter Brown said: “This is a tremendously exciting year for us. We are delighted to be celebrating 25 years and offering visitors the chance to look back over the centuries with us enjoying films, partying and some fascinating tours, lectures and demonstrations. Fairfax House is widely recognised as the finest Georgian townhouse in England and can be enjoyed and appreciated by the visitor to York as well as local residents.”
In addition to the above events, Fairfax House is open from 14th February to the end of December on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11am - 4.30pm and Sunday 1.30pm - 4.30pm for self-guided tours. Fridays guided tours only at 11am and 2pm. It also runs exclusive evening group tours with a Georgian flavour. These cost £25 which includes wine and canapés and must be booked in advance.
For more detailed information about any of the activities planned for 2009, please
visit Fairfax House website at www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk, email info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk or ring 01904 655543.
ends
Press Contacts:
Peter Brown Tel: 01904 655543 peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
Melanie Paris Tel: 01904 647408 hello@melanieparis.com