New Exhibition at Fairfax House Celebrates 40th Anniversary

A new exhibition opens this Saturday (22nd) telling the remarkable story of how Fairfax House was brought back to life, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its visionary restoration.

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. 

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.