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.
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 […]
The nineteenth century saw a shift towards shorter working days and increased leisure time. This talk will delve into the consequences of this shift. We will investigate the growing popularity of theatres and music halls among all the social classes. We will uncover the wide array of Victorian pastimes, from collecting cigarette cards and trainspotting […]
This talk will explore Surrey, suffrage and the arts pre-World War I, discussing women’s role in the Arts and Crafts Movement, and its intersections with the women’s suffrage campaign that gathered momentum in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Exploring a range of works, from banners to badges, this talk shows how women artists […]
Last year saw the eightieth and possibly last commemoration of the D-Day landings, where the coordination between Allied nations led to a force from 13 countries approaching Normandy in a 5,000-vessel armada. Last summer, retired teacher and long-time member of the Society, Trevor Bass, along with two friends, cycled from Farnham to Normandy, visiting museums, […]
John Gaspard Le Marchant joined the British Army at the age of 16. Not only did he become a brilliant cavalry officer, but he also revolutionised how army officers were trained. In 1801, he founded the Royal Military College, part of which moved temporarily to Farnham. The College evolved into the prestigious Royal Military Academy, […]
Discover the witty commentary on contemporary society with a look at the stories behind some of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most famous – and less well-known – pieces of music. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots, what motivated Gilbert to write certain operas, and unmask the characters, which were deliberate parodies of […]
It is a while since we have had a talk on either nature or photography but Jon Hawkins combines both. Jon modestly describes himself as 63, born and bred in the Surrey Hills. An excerpt from an interview given to an American photo journal states ‘Inspiration and motivation from the natural world have laid the […]
Frensham Heights is a well-known local school with a reputation for progressive ideas. It was leased to the school by the tobacco heiress, Edith Douglas Hamilton, at a peppercorn rental in 1925. However, the house and location, previously known as Frensham Hill and, before that, as Firgrove, have an interesting history. The original Firgrove estate was […]
