Two Houses, One Story: York's Forgotten Women at Fairfax House and Bar Convent

This month sees the launch of an exciting new joint exhibition between two of York’s most iconic historic houses.

With a shared history of strong Catholic women, Fairfax House and the Bar Convent have announced the collaborative project: ‘Two Houses, One Story: York’s Forgotten Women’ (2 March-27 April) to mark International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.

This exciting collaboration explores the intertwining story of two Catholic houses; one a secret convent operating a pioneering school for girls, the other belonging to a prominent local Catholic family.

Recently discovered documents, beautiful portraits and intriguing artefacts give new insight into the day to day lives of these exceptional local women. It will explore how they navigated their faith during an era of persecution and suspicion, and how some were linked to dangerous underground activity which ultimately aided the survival of the Catholic faith in York and beyond.

PLUS visitors of all ages are invited to search the displays to find the items left to the Bar Convent in Lady Hungate’s ‘unofficial’ will; can you find the ‘Scarlet Cloth Cloack’, ‘wood box of Reliqes’ or ‘Arm’d Chair & Green Cusshion’?!

Last admission 4pm

An exhibition at each house is enhanced by the other and explores the intertwining story of the two illegal Catholic houses; one a secret convent operating a pioneering school for girls, the other belonging to a prominent local Catholic family.

Dr Hannah Thomas, Special Collections Manager at the Bar Convent, said “The histories of the Bar Convent and Fairfax House are so closely intertwined that a joint exhibition such as this makes perfect sense. 

Not many people are aware of the links between the houses but both Ann and Mary Fairfax attended the school here and Lady Hungate lived here with the sisters for 29 years!

This exhibition gives us a fantastic opportunity to explore and share this exciting little-known narrative with the public and to work with the incredible team at Fairfax House.”

Sarah Burnage, Curator at Fairfax House, said: “We are delighted to be working with our friends at the Bar Convent on this joint venture. The exhibition tells the story of women living in York in the eighteenth-century and offers a fascinating glimpse into the little-known world of Catholicism in York”.

The exhibitions will include recently discovered documents, beautiful portraits and intriguing artefacts that give new insight into the day to day lives of these exceptional local women. It will explore how they navigated their faith during an era of persecution and suspicion, and how some were linked to dangerous underground activity which ultimately aided the survival of the Catholic faith in York and beyond.

At the Bar Convent, discover the early years of the Fairfax daughters who attended the school, how and why their grandmother Lady Hungate lived at the house for 29 years and the significance and legacy of this alliance.

At Fairfax House learn more about the limited life choices woman, like Ann Fairfax, faced in the eighteenth century. Also discover more about the Catholic networks in the city and how this clandestine community supported each other. Each exhibition is enhanced by the other and visitors to one house receive a 30% discount on admission to the other with proof of receipt.