Museum of Farnham

The Museum of Farnham sits in Willmer House, an 18th-century town house built in 1718 on West Street. Its brick façade is decorated with patterns in darker bricks. The building once hosted events marking its 300th anniversary in 2018. Inside, the museum keeps objects from many periods of Farnham’s past. A special room holds printed records for researchers studying the town and its surroundings. The museum opened in 1961 to show Farnham’s local history in a Grade I listed Georgian house. Original features remain, including a walled garden. Six rooms on two floors display a varied collection. Visitors see ancient archaeological finds alongside artworks by local artists. One highlight is an embroidered nightcap once worn by Charles I. Another is a decorated cassone panel by W. H. Allen, and paintings by John Verney show scenes of the area. The museum belongs to the Farnham Maltings Association, which supports artists and community art projects. The building was bought by Waverley Borough Council in 2012. After discovering serious damage to the façade, repairs were planned but delayed by costs. Scaffolding now shields the street from falling masonry. The council has sought grants to finish the work and keep the museum open.