New Exhibition at Fairfax House Celebrates 40th Anniversary - Fairfax House a town house reborn
Next: Wednesday, 9 October 2024
Runs until Sunday, 20 October 2024 (See all dates)
- Time
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Venue
- Fairfax House, York, YO1 9RN
- Price
- see website
40 years ago, Fairfax House sat unloved and forgotten. Its once-legendary splendour as one of the finest 18th-century townhouses was hidden underneath thick layers of dust and paint.
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The future of the building was uncertain, until York Civic Trust invested over £2,000,000 in today's money in a groundbreaking transformation that required incredible artistry, ingenuity and resilience.
Now a new exhibition will open this weekend that will allow visitors to step back in time and witness how the house changed from a damp and decaying shell to the magnificent architectural gem seen today.
When asked about the exhibition, Curator Sarah Burnage said, “We are very excited about this unique exhibition because it will let visitors know what it really takes to conserve and restore a historic house back to its former glory. This is unlike anything we’ve done before, and we hope it will connect with many residents who can remember Fairfax House from its dance hall and cinema days.”
Collections Manager Rachel Willis said, “We’ve done our best to make visitors feel transported to a time before Fairfax House was restored - even going as far as replicating the damage on the ceiling and the bricked Venetian window. We’ve also created an homage to St George’s cinema where visitors can watch an original film about the restoration. We are very pleased to be showcasing this important time in Fairfax House’s past.”
Fairfax House has had a long and varied history. After it was sold by Ann Fairfax in 1772, it passed through various private owners until 1865 when it was turned in a gentlemen’s club. In the 1920s, it became the St George’s Hall cinema and a dance hall, which only closed in 1980.
Fairfax House is particularly keen to hear from those who were involved in the restoration, or who have memories of the building as a cinema or dance hall. If you have a story you want to share, you can email it to info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk.
The exhibition will open on Saturday 22nd June and runs until 20th October.
Children 16 and under go free at Fairfax House. Admission to the exhibition for adults is just £8 for adults and £7.50 for concessions. Visitors can pre-book online to secure tickets or walk-in on the day.
OPENING TIMES
Fairfax House is currently closed to install our latest exhibition, Restoration. We will reopen on 22nd June 2024.
From 22nd June, our opening times will be as follows:
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: Guided tours at 11am, 12pm and 2pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 11am-4pm
Pre-Booking
Pre-booking is not compulsory although we do recommend it. You can pre-book your tickets by clicking here.
Planned Closures/Changes to Opening Hours
Fairfax House will be closed between 17th-21st June 2024 to install our latest exhibition, Restoration: A Townhouse Reborn. Fairfax House will re-open on Saturday 22nd June 2024.
You can pre-book your tickets here.
We recommend checking our online ticketing platform for daily changes to opening hours.
Venue
Fairfax House
Castlegate
York
YO1 9RN
Dates
The event runs from 10:00 to 17:00 on the following dates.
Select a date to add this event to your calendar app.
- July 2nd
- July 3rd
- July 4th
- July 5th
- July 6th
- July 7th
- July 8th
- July 9th
- July 10th
- July 11th
- July 12th
- July 13th
- July 14th
- July 15th
- July 16th
- July 17th
- July 18th
- July 19th
- July 20th
- July 21st
- July 22nd
- July 23rd
- July 24th
- July 25th
- July 26th
- July 27th
- July 28th
- July 29th
- July 30th
- July 31st
- August 1st
- August 2nd
- August 3rd
- August 4th
- August 5th
- August 6th
- August 7th
- August 8th
- August 9th
- August 10th
- August 11th
- August 12th
- August 13th
- August 14th
- August 15th
- August 16th
- August 17th
- August 18th
- August 19th
- August 20th
- August 21st
- August 22nd
- August 23rd
- August 24th
- August 25th
- August 26th
- August 27th
- August 28th
- August 29th
- August 30th
- August 31st
- September 1st
- September 2nd
- September 3rd
- September 4th
- September 5th
- September 6th
- September 7th
- September 8th
- September 9th
- September 10th
- September 11th
- September 12th
- September 13th
- September 14th
- September 15th
- September 16th
- September 17th
- September 18th
- September 19th
- September 20th
- September 21st
- September 22nd
- September 23rd
- September 24th
- September 25th
- September 26th
- September 27th
- September 28th
- September 29th
- September 30th
- October 1st
- October 2nd
- October 3rd
- October 4th
- October 5th
- October 6th
- October 7th
- October 8th
- October 9th
- October 10th
- October 11th
- October 12th
- October 13th
- October 14th
- October 15th
- October 16th
- October 17th
- October 18th
- October 19th
- October 20th