After being closed for almost six months, Fairfax House is set to reopen with a brand new exhibition.
Reunited: Lifting Lockdown with the Georgians will run from 17 May to 14 November 2021.
This new exhibition will run throughout the historic house and will explore life post-pandemic from the perspective of the eighteenth century.
Visitors will discover how the Georgian’s would have celebrated being ‘reunited’ – through lavish family gatherings, travelling, romance, dance, and of course celebrations!
The inspiration behind the exhibition came from two portraits that have been on display in Fairfax House for decades but hung in separate parts of the house. For this exhibition, husband and wife will be ‘reunited’ in the marital bedroom.
There will also be interactive elements throughout the exhibition for visitors to get involved in. Fancy learning some classic eighteenth century chat-up lines or the dance steps to the Minuet? Now’s your chance!
Visitors will also learn about the parallels with the one-time residents of the Fairfax House, The Hon. Anne Fairfax and her father Charles, Viscount Fairfax, as they experienced living through an epidemic.
Curator Dr Sarah Burnage said, “We’re are all eagerly awaiting the opportunity to reunite with visitors and volunteers again after so long closed.
“I think we could all do with some escapism after the year we’ve had, and visiting the exhibition will certainly transport you back in time!”
The cost of entry is £7.50, and children under 16 go free. Tickets should be pre-booked online via the Fairfax House website, however they can also be purchased on the day subject to availability.