About Us
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History of the Friends of Gressenhall Charity
In 1975, the Friends of Gressenhall was formed with the intent of preserving the Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, which opened as a museum in 1976.
The Friends of Gressenhall was crucial in the early days of the Museum’s life, both in helping to organise volunteers to support the work and, for the first ten years, paid the rent and managed the farm until it was later adopted by Norfolk Museums Service. The farm would not be part of the museum as it is today were it not for the Friends early support.
Over the last fifty years, thanks to generous donations and bequests, membership fees and fund-raising, the Friends have been able to contribute, in part or in full, to the funding of many projects, some are mentioned below.
One of the best known and loved features of Gressenhall, is the promotion and use of Suffolk Punch heavy horses to work the land on the museum farm and provide an unrivalled visitor attraction. These magnificent animals are regretfully now extremely rare, and therefore the efforts of Gressenhall to help the survival of the breed are most welcome.
Ever since these horses were first introduced onto the Farm, the Friends have kept money in a separate horse fund and been responsible for their purchase and for some of the associated equipment. the number bought now totals twelve and, although six have passed into equine heaven, Trojan, Bowler, Reggie and Jim remain working on the Farm with the newest, Jack and Kingsman joining them in 2023.
At the main building, the Friends provided matched funding to assist the Museum to obtain lottery finance for an exhibition hall. ln 2006, funds were provided for a complete restoration of the main Museum clock, and on 24 August 2011, the new Land Girls and Lumber Jills' Gallery opened, the latter supported with £9,100 from the Friends. The 'Voices from the Workhouse' project transformed and enhanced many areas of the Workhouse, with the Friends contributing £20,000 match-funding to it.
The Friends made a major contribution to the creation of a new Wildlife Garden, involving landscape gardeners and the local blacksmith who produced the beautiful, decorative railings which surround the main garden area. This little haven of tranquillity is well worth a visit, for tired minds, or legs, at any season of the year.
The Friends also make regular donations to many of our volunteer groups, such as Team Panhard, to help them with purchases or services relevant to their particular specialism.
Who We Are
We are all volunteers who enjoy promoting and supporting the work of the museum and farm in different ways, enabling them to bring history to life at this Victorian workhouse. It could be helping out in our bookshop, helping out ‘on the day’ at an event, or simply ‘spreading the word’ about how special Gressenhall is.
Raising Funds
Perhaps the most important work we do is in raising money to fund heritage projects and improvements that would otherwise be impossible for the Norfolk Museums Service. Besides raising money at events, membership subscriptions are a significant source of funds as in the very popular Friends of Gressenhall bookshop.
If you would like to become a Friend, which offers several benefits, see the Membership page.
Fundraising Achievements
All the Suffolk Punch horses have been purchased by the Friends of Gressenhall
The Friends built the wildlife garden and support the volunteer gardeners who maintain it and other gardens
All Recipe cards sales support the Suffolk Horses.
The clock and bell tower have been repaired and maintained over the last 40 years or more with Friends funding
The Women’s Land Army Gallery was part funded by the Friends
Supported the restoration of the leatherwork, gearbox and radiator for the 1899 Panhard et Lavassor vintage car. More details of this wonderful car can be found on the Team Panhard website🔗.
