The Friends of the Eton College Collections was formed in 1991 for people with a shared interest in the extraordinary and internationally significant archives, art, library and museum holdings of the College Collections.
By becoming a Friend, you will assist in protecting, preserving and adding to these collections. Your support will also help to ensure that this heritage remains open to the widest possible audience and continues to inspire learning and research.
Friends of the Collections enjoy:
- Events – access to members-only events, including expert talks and tailored displays
- Exhibitions – invitations to special views
- Collections Journal – discover more with the Collections Journal, delivered regularly to your door
- Updates – keep up with news from the collections with regular e-bulletins.
- Recognition in the Friends section of the Honour Roll in future Eton Onwards, the College’s annual report on philanthropy
Join the Friends
Join the Friends
A donation of £30 or more per year allows you to join the Friends of the Eton College Collections. There is no extra charge for spouses to join as Friends. Donations may be made online.
The Friends are now part of the 1440 Society, the College’s recognition society for regular and annual donors. Your data will be processed in accordance with the Eton College Privacy Policy.
If you would like to learn more about the 1440 Society or for further assistance, please contact the Development Office at [email protected].
Events
Recent events have included:
- Special views of exhibitions with curators’ talks
- Lecture on conserving the collections at Eton, accompanied by displays in Election Chamber and College Library
- Lecture on M.R. James by an Eton history master, accompanied by displays in College Library and the Provost’s Lodge
It was a terrific evening … so interesting. It was also lovely to be able to catch up with a few old and new friends beforehand.
Friend of the College Collections
Support for Conservation and Acquisitions
Acquisitions and conservation projects made possible by the Friends in recent years include:
- Acquisition of a lost manuscript on teaching at Eton, written by a fellow of the College (c.1745)
- Conservation of rare 19th-century costumes used in the Eton Montem procession, and of Richard Livesay’s late 18th-century painting of the procession
- Commission of new candlesticks for Eton College Chapel by a leading contemporary silversmith
- Purchase of essential equipment for Eton’s first purpose-built conservation studio
members of the Friends
