Fundraising

The Friends helped purchase this writing cabinet
by J. Guilbaud, c1690

Every year through their activities, the Friends generate sufficient funds to make a donation of several thousand pounds to the Museum in support of its programme and/or to purchase a particular item.

Since 1990, when the Geffrye became an independent charitable trust, the Friends of the Geffrye have donated almost £100,000. This money has gone toward a range of important, highly-visible projects, initiatives and acquisitions, some of which were absolutely essential to us reaching our potential in areas of display and scholarship and in creating a vibrant, multi-layered museum, valued for both learning and enjoyment. With the support and generosity of the Friends, more of the Geffrye has grown and, as a result, the story - told by our displays, collections, interpretation programmes and through the site itself - becomes richer and more fulfilling each year.

The following list includes some, but not all, of the ways in which the Friends annual donation has been put to use over the past 18 years:

Development of the historic buildings and gardens (£38,000)

• Restoration of the historic almshouse
• Period garden rooms
• Mural in the garden reading room
• Herb garden – original planting
• Design and construction of the front desk in the main entrance

Purchase of acquisitions (£30,000)

• Objects and replicas for the restored almshouse
• Gasolier in the mid-Victorian period room
• Lyre-legged ‘games and work’ table in the Regency room
• The Wedding Breakfast by GE Hicks, oil on canvas, 1862
• Walnut veneered writing cabinet by J Guilbaud, c1690

Education and learning projects (£7,000)

• Quiz desk for children
• Concerts in the chapel and in the garden
• Support for evening lectures
• Contributions to the Brigstocke Fund for Education

Publications (£7,000)

• Christmas Past (published 1996)
• Chinese Homes (published 1990)