About us
The Wallpaper History Society was founded in 1986 to celebrate the history, design, culture and conservation of historic and contemporary wallcoverings. We are a community of professionals and enthusiasts who join together to share a love of wallpaper, promote its study and encourage its manufacture and use.
We run a variety of wallpaper and wallcovering-related events, including visits to print makers and designers’ studios and host wallpaper-themed guided tours of historic houses and visits to wallpaper archives. We also run study days and conferences on all aspects of wallpaper printing, research and conservation. As a charity we are committed to furthering understanding and knowledge of wallpaper history, development, manufacturing and design through our website, journal and events. We also award an annual bursary, The Merryl Huxtable Prize, which helps to support work into wallpaper research and conservation.
Membership of the WHS starts at only £20 per year per individual (concessions available) and gives access to our world of wallpaper resources, plus discounts and priority booking on our events. Members also receive a free copy of our journal The Wallpaper History Society Review and our Newsletter - both of which are packed with informative articles, new research and updates on all things wallpaper from contributors across the world.
The Wallpaper History Society is run entirely by volunteers and we rely solely for our income on the support of our members and the kind donations from sponsors and individuals who have benefitted from our work. Your membership or donation will help us to continue to provide a meeting place for all where the history and culture of wallpapers can be shared, promoted and enjoyed.
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Our bursary
The Wallpaper History Society offers a bursary of up to £1,000 each year to support historical research and/or developments in the conservation of wallcoverings. The prize is offered in memory of Merryl Huxtable, a founder member of the WHS and pioneer in the field of wallpaper conservation.
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Applications are welcomed from full or part-time graduate students studying the history, conservation or development of wallcoverings at postgraduate level at a UK college or university. Researchers and professionals based in the UK who are working towards publication or educational outputs will also be considered for the award.