Service name: William Morris Society and Museum
Service description
The society, backed by H&F Council funding, runs a museum dedicated to William Morris, the arts and crafts designer who lived at Kelmscott House. As well as creative and innovative events, the society runs outreach and educational programmes for adults, families and schools.
Funded until
30 September 2023
Annual funding level
£15,000
In the past year...
- A total of 3,248 residents have visited, supported by 28 volunteers. As well as the council funding, the society raised an extra £631,000 itself
Successes
After a short closure for essential refurbishment work, the house – restored, refurbished and looking at its best – is again thronged with visitors. The works, a partnership project between The William Morris Society and the Emery Walker Trust, mean there is greater public access to the amazing interiors and collections; improvements to storage and archives at Kelmscott House; and new activities and volunteering initiatives for a yet wider audience.
- 30 H&F schoolchildren attended educational programmes with 130 H&F adults attending
- A dozen curator-led tours were attended by 219 H&F residents
- 27 Saturday morning art club sessions were staged
- The education programme increases knowledge about the borough’s heritage
Feedback
‘Thanks for the beautiful display and tranquil atmosphere.’
‘A little gem; nice museum and lovely staff, thank you.’
‘Fascinating and very informative.’
‘What a super surprise to find you here. Thank you for keeping William Morris’s art alive.’
‘Lovely and unpretentious presentation.’
‘So pleased to see this house flourish.’
Looking ahead
The Emery Walker Trust (Arts & Crafts Hammersmith) has, with Heritage Lottery funding, taken on a part-time learning and volunteer officer and a marketing officer, making more school visits possible.
Comments, achievements and future plans for the service
For the investment offered, the William Morris Society provides an accessible education programme to educate adults and children about the heritage in their borough. It meets the priorities of Destination and Access of the borough's emerging arts strategy. The capital project in partnership with the Emery Walker Trust will create a new destination for the borough and open the society up to a wider audience.