Exhibition: 70 Objects 70 Stories

On the 6th September 1955 the Duke of Wellington opened ‘The Oates Memorial Library and Museum & The Gilbert White Museum’ to the public. 70 years later we are celebrating with an exhibition which tells the story of the last 70 years through the objects in our collections and the memories of those who visited, worked and supported Gilbert White’s House & Gardens over the past 7 decades.

The exhibition was made possible with support from the Art Fund.

Dates: 2nd September to 21st December 2025

Times: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm (We will close at 4:00 from November onwards)

Venue: Gilbert Whites House

Directions: How to find us

    Gilbert Whites House

    Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne’s Plestor, to this house, called ‘The Wakes’ (named after the Wake family who had lived here previously). At that time, the property would have been no more than a ‘two up, two down’ but over subsequent years several extensions and additions have been made, creating the long, sizeable house you see today.

    The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White’s own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts.

    Learn more