Candlelit Georgian house aims to shed light on history as it reopens
THE LIGHTS went out at Fairfax house almost exactly a year after the curators launched a project to revert partly to candlelight.
The Georgian townhouse, in York, considered one of the finest in England, had embarked upon a £ 30,000 campaign to turn back the clock to a time before electricity or even gas lamps.
As they prepare to figuratively turn the lights back on today after eight months in the dark, the “posh candles” will be seen once more.
It was a chance discovery at an auction two years ago that ignited ambition at the elegant former merchant’s residence within sight of Clifford’s Tower. One of a pair of George II candle stands from around 1750 had gone on sale, matching a twin which was already in the
collection. Its acquisition for £ 6,500 marked the beginning of a journey to recreate the interiors of the house as they would have looked under candlelight alone.
It is an adventure that will finally resume this morning, as the first groups of visitors are admitted, 15 minutes apart.
They will also be among the first to see the ornate ceilings which were restored earlier in the year, a project featured in The Yorkshire Post last month.
Rachel Wallis, assistant curator at the property, said: “It’s great to be able to finally share this magnificent house with everyone again, and show off the repaired ceilings after all the work that was done to save them in January. We have also been able to get some pieces out from our collection that haven’t been on display for a long time.”
Fairfax house, originally built for a merchant in York, was modelled in the Palladian style by its second owner, Viscount Fairfax. It later became a building society, a gentlemen’s club and a cinema before being bought and restored as Carr left it by York Civic Trust.