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David Parr House

A talk by Tamsin Wimhurst on its restoration

7:30pm, Thursday 17th October 2019
Meldreth Church Meeting Room

In 1886, 186 Gwydir Street was bought by David Parr, a working-class Victorian decorative artist who worked for the Cambridge firm of artworkmen, F R Leach & Sons. David Parr learnt his many skills there, painting houses and churches with designs created by some of the best architects and designers in the country, including George Frederick Bodley, William Morris and Charles Eamer Kempe.

Over 40 years, David Parr decorated his own terraced home in the style of the grand interiors he worked on every day. His house became a pattern book of the work of late 19th century masters, including William Morris, perfectly crafted and painted with care. In 1912, David Parr inscribed ‘If you do anything, do it well’ in his house, and his patterned, hand-painted walls are a testament to that maxim and to the values of the Arts & Crafts movement in general.

Tamsin Wimhurst first saw the house in 2009 while organising an exhibition entitled ‘A Space of Our Own’. Since then she has worked with the Palmer family to conserve the house for future generations to enjoy. Tamsin entered the heritage industry through museum education and has a deep passion for making history accessible to all. During her career she has developed and managed many creative and innovative events, exhibitions and community projects.

Tickets £7.50 each (Friends £7.00)
available from
Mary Gregory - 260120
Peter Chilvers - 260742
John Price - 260048