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Our grade II* listed buildings not only provide an inspiring setting but are critical in enabling our mission – to uphold free speech.
Built in 1857 and originally the Society’s debating chamber, the Oxford Union’s Old Library is a striking example of Victorian architecture, containing historic volumes as well as modern day collections. Yet perhaps the most special element of our heritage remains the irreplaceable Pre-Raphaelite murals by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris which urgently need restoring before they fade to such an extent they can no longer be saved.
Our debating chamber, too, requires essential maintenance works so that we can continue to carry out our mission without interruption.
Support our unique heritage
The Old Library is home to over 50,000 volumes, many of them rare and valuable, and now in need of 21st century interventions related to climate control in the stacks and preservation of about 2000 volumes at risk. Our unique archival material is also at risk of being lost unless vital conservation efforts are taken in the immediate future. Funds will be used to invest in:
· Essential repairs to our debating chamber
· State-of-the-art Climate Control in Stack 1 and Stack 2 to protect the library’s most valuable material
· Rebinding and restoration of 2,000 volumes in the library’s historic collection
· Soft refurbishment to ensure greater accessibility
Funds may also be used to enhance library operations to ensure as many as possible can enjoy our unique reading rooms as well as the conservation of our archives. Further details will be shared in due course.
More details will be shared in due course.
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