Kelmscott Manor is set to reopen after a £6million renovation.
Morris, a towering figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, was a pioneering designer, author, architectural conservationist and social reformer, who rented Kelmscott Manor for 25 years until his death in 1896 aged 62.
The home has been closed since 2019 to allow structural repairs to be made to the 17th century manor house and its outbuildings.
Other work carried out during this time includes a new learning and activity studio, new exhibition and research spaces, an upgrade of visitor facilities and and conservation of furniture and artwork.
The interior rooms of the manor house, between Faringdon and Lechlade, have also been redisplayed to provide a more authentic impression of how they would have been in the Morris family’s day in the late 19th century.
Kelmscott
Dr Kathy Haslam, curator at Kelmscott Manor, said: “We have not attempted to replicate a particular moment in time in redisplaying the period rooms, but rather to recreate the spaces as they would have been known to members of the Morris family over their 67-year association with the manor based on evidence available.
"Every new placement of furniture and objects, together with each new paint colour or choice of wallpaper has been informed by visual or written sources consulted during extensive research.
"As a result the house feels more home-like. In addition, our new interpretation enables us to explore more people, themes and narratives than before.”
Kelmscott Manor has been owned by the Society of Antiquaries of London since 1962.
General Secretary John Lewis said: “William Morris’s love of history and the physical remains of the past profoundly influenced his creativity.
"Our revitalised Kelmscott will explore and share the history of the estate and house through the core disciplines of the Society and through the eyes of William Morris as an Antiquary and Fellow of our Society.
“The recent major refurbishment project and the ongoing Kelmscott Manor: Past Present and Future Campaign has ensured that William Morris’s beloved 'heaven on earth' is preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.”
William Morris expert and chairman of the Kelmscott campaign Martin Levy told the Observer newspaper: “Kelmscott is so magical. You hear the crows screeching in the trees, the daffodils coming up, the river beside the house. The public is going to see the house brought back to life more authentically.
“Using inventories, photographs and watercolours, the curator Kathy Haslam has done archaeological research into how the house looked while Morris was there.
“They’ve been able to place furniture and objects where they were originally. So you get a feeling of a house that’s lived in rather than a cold, museum-like shrine."
Kelmscott Manor reopens to the public on Friday, April 1. From then on it will be open Thursday-Saturday from 10.30am-5pm.
Pre-booking online is advisable via sal.org.uk/kelmscott-manor
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here