Date posted: 09 April 2025

Buy a Brick and help restore Willmer House

Would you like to play a part in helping us restore the historic Grade I listed Willmer House, home to the Museum of Farnham?

As you may know, scaffolding went up in January and the restoration works have begun to restore and preserve this amazing local building, built in 1718 and featuring a Baroque façade, crafted from gauged brickwork.

Why do we need your help?

We are grateful for the funding we have already received from The National Heritage Fund and others, but even with these and our own contribution, historical buildings are expensive to restore. Gauged brickwork is one of the most expensive building methods used and can often be seen on the finest buildings around the world. We need additional funds to ensure that the work carried out by the team of highly experienced specialists, can be completed.

How can you help?

By sponsoring a hand-crafted brick to help us ensure the preservation of the building’s historic façade, your name will take pride of place on a plaque in the museum as a lasting legacy of your contribution.

Here are some ways you can support us:

Tiered support packages:

Pledging support is easy, simply sponsor a hand-crafted brick from one of the following options:

Brick package	What's included	Price
The People's Brick	Your name on a special plaque inside the museum A certificate to print at home	£50
The Golden Brick	Your name on a special plaque inside the museum A certificate to print at home An invitation to the grand reopening launch celebration	£200
Names in Bricks	Your name secretly engraved on a brick (only 24 available) Your name on a special plaque inside the museum A certificate to print at home An invitation to the grand reopening launch celebration	£1,000

Donate to buy a brick

Why is it important?

By helping us restore Willmer House, you're saving a piece of history that people can enjoy for future generations. You'll also be supporting the Museum of Farnham, where you can learn about the area's fascinating past.

Councillor Kika Mirylees, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Leisure and EDI, said: "We are so excited to launch this new campaign. By sponsoring a brick, you become part of our mission to restore and preserve this amazing local building but will also, forever be, a part of the fabric of the Museum. It is such an important project and testament to our dedication to maintaining our heritage sites for future generations. We do hope many residents and visitors will get involved.”

Councillor Mark Merryweather, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Property, added: “Willmer House is one of the nation’s most important historic buildings and conservation projects such as this on a Grade 1 Listed Building are unique. As a historical building that requires expert restoration, it does of course incur significant costs. We are grateful for the funding we have received, which along with our own contribution, is helping ensure that the building remains an important part of the town, however, there is still a considerable shortfall which we hope can be supplemented, in part, by this new campaign.”

The project is supported by the National Heritage Fund and a DCMS Museum Estate and Development grant secured through Arts Council England, alongside contributions from Waverley Borough Council, Farnham Town Council and the Farnham and District Museum Society. The works are expected to finish in 2026, with the Museum remaining open during the works.