Fairfax House If Walls Could Talk Exhibition Review

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Updated on April 25, 2023

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary If Walls Could Talk exhibition press event for the purposes of this review. ALL opinions shared in this post are my own.

If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax is a fascinating exhibition at Fairfax House in York. Running until November 2023, this exhibition provides an intriguing insight into the life of one of the lesser known residents of Fairfax House. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the If Walls Could Talk exhibition!

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Fairfax House If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax Review

If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax is a temporary exhibition at Fairfax House in York. It is running from Saturday 29th April until Sunday 5th November 2023 and tells the story of former resident and owner, Ann Fairfax.

Keep reading to discover more about the If Walls Could Talk exhibition and I share my thoughts on the display in a thorough review.

Fairfax House

Before we delve into the If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax review, here’s everything you need to know about Fairfax House.

Where is Fairfax House?

Fairfax House is nestled in the historic heart of York city centre. It is located on Castlegate, between Jorvik Viking Centre and Clifford’s Tower.

Address: Fairfax House, 27 Castlegate, York YO1 9RN

What is Fairfax House?

Fairfax House is a remarkable Georgian townhouse in York. It is considered one of the finest Georgian townhouses in England and is a museum dedicated to showcasing its grandeur.

Throughout the museum you can admire the richly decorated rooms and incredible stucco ceilings. It is a fantastic showcase of Georgian architecture and design. A visit to Fairfax House is a unique opportunity to taste the luxurious life of York’s wealthy Georgian population.

When was Fairfax House built?

Fairfax House was built in the 1740s. It was likely built as a home for a local merchant prior to being purchased by Charles Gregory Fairfax.

Who lived at Fairfax House?

Fairfax House was purchased by Charles Gregory Fairfax, 9th Viscount Fairfax of Emley in 1759. It was significantly remodelled for Fairfax by the architect John Carr between 1761 and 1765.

Following the Viscount’s death in 1772, the property was inherited by his daughter who ultimate sold it. Fairfax House passed through various owners up until the late 1800s when it fell into disrepair.

Since this time, the house had not been lived in. It briefly served as a dance hall and then a 20th century cinema. The cinema closed in 1980 and significant restoration work was undertaken to restore the house to its former glory.

Who owns Fairfax House?

Today, Fairfax House is owned by the York Conservation Trust. The charity buys and restores significant historical buildings in York. The trust is driven by the objective of preserving historic landmarks throughout York for the benefit of the city and people of York.

Why visit Fairfax House?

Fairfax House is a beautiful building. The careful restoration of the house gives you a true sense of how wealthy Yorkshire folk lived during the Georgian era. It is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of their lives and walk in their footsteps.

Not only is a visit to Fairfax House an insight into Georgian Yorkshire, but it also gives a personal insight into the lives of the people who lived within the home. You can learn the names and faces of previous residents and discover more about the lives they led, which gives Fairfax House a really personal touch.

If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax

The latest exhibition at Fairfax House is dedicated to former resident Ann Fairfax. Here is an introduction to Ann and her life before I share the If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax exhibition review.

Who was Ann Fairfax?

Ann Fairfax was the daughter of Charles Gregory Fairfax, 9th Viscount Fairfax of Emley. She was born in 1726, one of nine children, but the only one surviving at the time of Charles’s death in 1772. This made her the unexpected heiress of the prosperous Fairfax estates.

Ann did not conform to the standards of society of the time. At the time of her inheritance, she was 47 years old, Catholic and unmarried without an heir.

Her role as spinster made many, including her family, question whether Ann was fit to take on the task of managing the estate. This is what If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax sets out to explore.

Why share the story of Ann Fairfax?

The story of Ann Fairfax is an important one. Due to being a woman of the Georgian period, particularly an unmarried one, history could have easily forgotten her.

The significant role women play is often written out of the history books. The story of the Fairfax line is often considered as ending with the death of Ann’s father, overlooking Ann’s own life and achievements.

If Walls Could Talk is an especially timely exhibition. The BBC adaptation of Gentleman Jack, the story of the life of Yorkshire business woman Anne Lister is shining a light on the important role of women in Yorkshire history. Especially the women who challenged society’s perception of what it meant to be a woman.

And while this exhibition does examine the challenges faced as a woman, it is also a fascinating insight into Georgian society. It explores the societal conventions and expectations that came with the period. As well as a whole load of family drama that played out like a soap opera!

If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax Review

So now you know a bit more about Fairfax House and the life of Ann Fairfax, let’s delve into a review of the exhibition.

If Walls Could Talk Exhibition: What to expect

Going into Fairfax House, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Although it has been on my list for some time, I had never visited Fairfax House before. I didn’t know a lot about the exhibition or the house before I arrived, which made the whole experience a real treat!

Here are some of the things I loved most about the exhibition, which you can expect to discover on your visit.

Detailed

I was amazed by the level of detail that went into the exhibition. Each item on display has clearly been carefully considered and placed to add to Ann’s story. From the beautifully lettered shipping labels to the hidden messages stamped on biscuits, it is clear that a lot of preparation has gone into the display.

Immersive

Another thing I loved about the exhibition is that it is really immersive. You’re not limited to observing the display from behind a rope. In fact, you are encouraged to get up close to really examine the intricate details.

This immersion makes a bigger impact. Rather than reading about the life of Ann, a distant historical figure, somewhere along the way, she becomes a friend. You really feel for Ann and her struggles and want her to succeed despite the challenges she faced.

Varied

Made up from a combination of written displays, videos with actors portraying key characters and audio recordings, If Walls Could Talk is a really varied exhibition. The combination of these elements tells Ann’s story in different ways, so you’re not overwhelmed by too much to read or hours of video footage.

Informative

Throughout the exhibition you unearth the details of Ann’s life that have lead up to her choosing to sell Fairfax House. The narrative of the exhibition crafts a story of the many insults and injuries Ann had to face, which lead her to leaving Fairfax.

The entire exhibition uses the varied media forms to pull together many stories and instances throughout Ann’s life, which builds up an image of the daily life she was living. The huge amount of detail and information in the exhibition paints a colourful image of Ann and brings her to life through the narrative.

Subversive

Possibly my favourite thing about the If Walls Could Talk exhibition is that it is subversive. Much of the exhibition is an examination of how Ann goes against societal norms and subverts the concept of what it means to be a Georgian woman.

However, in a way, the exhibition itself is subversive. It doesn’t conform to the expectations of a typical exhibition. This can be seen most obviously in Ann’s Drawing Room. Here, derogatory slurs and insults that Ann regularly heard are stamped on biscuits and scrawled on playing cards. The only way to discover these details is to get up close to the exhibition and discover these hidden details that you could easily miss.

Is it worth visiting If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax?

If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax is well worth visiting and is an exhibition you don’t want to miss! This fascinating glimpse into the life of a women that history almost forgot is a rare insight into life as an independent Georgian woman.

When you explore the exhibition, it is clear to see the thoughtful care and attention to detail that has been brought to every single display. It is a real testament to the detailed research and planning that has gone into making the exhibition an unforgettable experience.

Finally, I love that this exhibition gives Fairfax House a real ‘lived in’ feel. I love exploring historic houses, but they are frequently displayed like a museum and lack the sense that someone once lived there.

This exhibition is unique as it feels like Ann could come waltzing through the door any second. The tiny details that you have to get up close to immerse you in Ann’s world and really make the house feel like a home. You don’t just leave with the knowledge of Ann’s life, you develop a connection with her that makes her feel like an old friend, rather than a historical figure.

It is safe to say that the exhibition truly does Ann Fairfax justice.

How long will I need to spend at the exhibition?

You will need to spend between 60-90 minutes at Fairfax House to admire the full exhibition. You can read all the displays and watch the videos in an hour, but set aside an extra 30 minutes if you really want to admire the finer details of each display.

When is the If Walls Could Talk exhibition on?

The If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax exhibition is on display from Saturday 29th April until Sunday 5th November 2023. Make sure you don’t miss the chance to see it!

Things to know about visiting Fairfax House

If you’re itching to plan your ticket to Fairfax House and see If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax, here’s all the information you need to know before you go.

Fairfax House Opening Times

Fairfax House is open from 11am until 4pm Saturday-Thursday. Last admission is at 3.30pm.

Guided tours run every Friday at 11am and 2pm.

You can pre-book your tickets online, however, walk-ins are also welcome. It is advised that you pre-book your spot on the guided tours as these fill up quickly.

Fairfax House Ticket Prices

Admission to Fairfax house costs £7.50/person. Children under the age of 16 years can enter for free with a paying adult.

Admission tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. This means you can use them to visit as many times as you like in a 12-month period. It is a great way to see each changing exhibition in the year.

Get your tickets to visit Fairfax House here.

How to get to Fairfax House

Here is everything you need to know about how to get to Fairfax House:

By car: Castle car park (YO1 9WY) is the largest and closest car park to Fairfax House. This pay and display car park is a two minute walk from the attraction.

By bus: As Fairfax House is located in the centre of York, there are numerous bus options to get you close to the attraction. Many destinations throughout Yorkshire offer bus services to the city. Most will drop you off a short walk from Fairfax House.

Alternatively, York has a fantastic park and ride network. There are a total of seven car parks at various locations around York City Centre. Park for free, then pay a small fare for the return bus journey in and out of the city centre.

With limited parking available in York, park and ride is a great alternative. Find out more about York park and ride here.

By train: Fairfax House is a 15-minute walk from York Train Station. This makes it a really accessible attraction via train. Compare train ticket prices on trainline.com.

If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax

So, if you’re looking for things to do in York, make sure you don’t miss the chance to visit Fairfax House and the If Walls Could Talk exhibition. It is an intriguing and informative display of the life of Ann Fairfax. A woman who deserves to be celebrated for living life by her own rules.

If you have missed the If Walls Could Talk Exhibition, check out what’s on at Fairfax House to see the current calendar of events and exhibitions.

Want to discover the magic of Christmas at Fairfax House? Read all about A TownMouse Christmas at Fairfax House here.

And if you want more York inspiration ahead of your visit, download your free York Quick Start Planning Guide for a list of the top 10 attractions in York, plus a guide to where to stay, when to visit and more!

Plus, you’ll get four bonus travel planning printables you can use when it comes to planning and packing for any trip!

Until our next adventure,

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