Our History Events Programme
Since its inception, the Farnham & District Museum Society has run a well-attended events programme of local history talks, seminars, exhibition private viewings, book launches, visits and other events. Our popular talks programme allows members to learn about local history and socialise in a friendly space. Our captivating talks programme is held at The Garden Gallery – a tranquil location in the Museum of Farnham’s garden. Talks are typically held monthly in the Spring and Autumn, starting at 2.30 pm on a Friday and lasting about an hour. They are a perfect opportunity to meet other people interested in Farnham and the surrounding district’s local history in a friendly and inclusive environment. Suitable refreshments are also provided! Details of our events programme for the forthcoming period are shown below.

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John Nichols and Gentleman’s Magazine
This talk tells the story of how the purchase of an anonymous pocket diary in a London bookshop led Julian Pooley to discover extensive and previously unknown archives of John Nichols (1745-1826). Nichols was one of Georgian London’s most prominent printers and a leading antiquary whose History and Antiquities of the Town and County of Leicester 4 vols (1795-1815) transformed the way that English local history was written and illustrated. For three generations he and his family edited and printed the Gentleman’s Magazine. The vast archive of family and business papers which he and his successors accumulated inspired his granddaughter to form her own collection of autograph letters, augmented by exchange with other collectors and by purchases in the London and Paris salerooms. This internationally significant collection, which includes many documents relating to Surrey, is now part of the 20,000 Nichols papers calendared and accessible via the Nichols Archive Database which is available via appointment at Surrey History Centre.
Presenter: Julian Pooley, Surrey History Centre