For centuries, the carved statue of Samson stood guard outside one of Norwich’s most prestigious buildings in the Tombland area of the city. There, along with his partner figure Hercules, he witnessed two World Wars and the antics of lovers and party revellers from the 30’s through to the 90’s when the building was used as a ballroom and then nightclub. However, time took its toll on this local hero who was eventually encased in layers and layers of white paint, obscuring the wonderful carving beneath.
Now, two decades after being removed from the ‘Samson and Hercules’ building for safekeeping, Samson has been restored to his former glory, and the man beneath the mask has been revealed. Curators at the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell have ambitious plans to display the beautiful oak carved figure, putting him pride of place in the museum.
They need your help to raise £15,000 to create a breathtaking new display featuring a bespoke, state of the art, environmentally controlled case. Within the case, the very fragile figure of Samson will be supported by a new custom made, conservation grade mount. What's more, specially designed lighting will enable visitors to see every curl and sinew in tantalising detail.
Meeting the highest conservation standards, this new display will not only present Samson at his very best, but more importantly, will ensure this city icon remains in peak condition for many years to come.
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Art Happens is the UK's only crowdfunding platform dedicated to museums and galleries, giving everyone the power to make art happen. If you have any questions or need help donating, contact us on 0844 415 4100 or email arthappens@artfund.org
Five great reasons to help Save Samson
We've launched our Save Samson campaign! Here are five great reasons to donate... Read more
Introducing Samson - the star of the show
Why we need you to be part of the special story of Samson... Read moreSamson, Hercules and me.
Conservator, Cathy Proudlove, explains how she discovered Samson’s amazing secret and her quest to preserve him... Read more
Samson's new home
Today we share why our special Samson statue needs a state of the art display case... Read moreSamson emerges from 60 layers of paint
In this update, we explore the fascinating Samson conservation work undertaken at Plowden and Smith's conservation studio in London... Read more
Meet the Artist - Leanda Jaine
In this update, we speak to artist Leanda Jaine who has created the exclusive design for the Samson tote, laser etched illustration and prints. and get the low down on her career, influences and her personal connection to Samson... Read moreSamson and the friendly invasion
In this update, we explain how ‘The Samson and Hercules’ club played its part in the war effort in World War Two... Read more
Exclusive rewards as a thank you
As a big thank you for helping us save Samson, we have a brilliant selection of exclusive rewards for our donors... Read moreSamson's return to store
This week there has been an exciting development in Samson’s journey, as he was transported from London to our off-site store. Read more... Read more
Our final push to bring Samson home
Time is running out for our Biblical hero. Can you help?... Read moreSamson is saved!
Our campaign is fully funded and has actually exceeded its target!... Read more
Showing Samson
Samson has returned to store and is reunited with his partner Hercules... Read moreFor funders only
Hot off the (printing) press!
Rewards for our donors have gone into production... Read more
For funders only
Rewards are on their way
Saving Samson rewards are ready to go and be delivered this week... Read moreSamson's Homecoming
The restored statue of Samson to go on public display 3rd April... Read more
With thanks to...
Alistair Bolt
Christopher Bassham
Kay Hyams
Frances Walpole
Kiki Angelrath
Anonymous
Richard Malt
Jo Warr
Julia Matheson
Eve Mahoney
Christian Haw
Naomi Horrocks
Stephanie Harding
Jordan Browning
Adrian Jobson
Joanna Kinnaird
Robin Sampson
Anne Olerenshaw
Simon Chapman
Christine Edens
Ann Davidson
Ruth Carrod
Helen Wilson
Joanne Plowright
Juanita Hawthorne
Freda Wilkins-Jones
James Fenn
Rosalind Palmer
Richard Laxen
Anna Collins
Chris Moore
Serena Woodcock
Claire Bolster
Richard Ainsworth
Andrew Pyper
Sandra Casey
David Mateer
Margaret Taverna
Richard Dixon
Isobel Wilson
Morna Hill
Richard Polley
Harriet Cox
Michael Sanders
Francesca Vanke
Elizabeth Harmer
Alan Kitchell
Tessa Payne
Vincent Newman
Masha Smith
Sarah Buckenham
Carol Warman
Kim Sadler
Marilyn Ayres
Jennifer Taylor
Andrew Shepheard
Clive Lloyd
Janet Negal
Alexandra Hupton
Aileen Fox
Allison Martin
Simon Watkins
Claire Carrington
Rachel Ley
Maryse Taylor
Sue Springett
Maggie Read
Sarah Gore
Susan Priestley
Philip Houghton
Sophie Day
Jessica Goldfinch
Diane Davis
Laurence Buck
Richard Halsey
Catherine Waddams
Rowena Foote
Susan Spivey
Jason Coward
Rachel Hore
Elaine Tuffield
Ian Williams
Karen Brown
Ann Greenizan
John Mallen
Rosemary Forrest
Alan Edwards
Tom Downs
Rachel Fletcher
Elisabetta Cavalli
Martin Dodd
Melsnie Rolfe
Elliot Sadler
Catherine Birch
Ian Cooper
Catherine Yates
Diane Brown
Arthur Woodward
Iain Sturch
David Hedges
Mary-Louise Wedderburn
Dee Evans
Rosalind Malt
Jane Newick
Eileen Smedmor
Colin Pye
Stephanie Potts
Steven Jefferson
David Edwards
Jennifer Hooker
Brian Knowles
Derek Aldous
Pete Hendey
Alexandra Fletcher
Art Peterson
Moire Lennox
Elizabeth Holt
Lesley Mulhall
Nicole Brannan
Rosemary Duff
Kerry Major
David Aldrich
Andrew Brown
Anne Edwards
Molly Watson
Paul Dickson
Kathy Voisey
Amanda Roper
Catriona Murray
Lucina Swain
Alasdair Willett
Andrew Evitt
Martyn Woollett
Jane Emerson
Stephen Lawrence
Sue Seviour
Susan Phin
Judirh Thompson
Jill Pincher
Ian Tarrant
Jason Zelos
Daphne Mcfarquhar
Gay Abbott
Samantha Johns
Misty Lunn
Jean Vickers
Helen Sumpter
David Plummer
Betty Lawrence
Sally Conway
Shareen Weston
Esther Morgan
James Hopgood
Ian Woods
Helen Ainsworth
Ann Rendall
Jasmine Winter
Donald Barnett
Samantha Grayson
Amanda Hambling
Hazel Pidsley
Sarah Turner
Sophie Forgan
Lorraine Walker
Shaun Dew
Sarah Salmon
Katie Parker
Angela Fogg
Eleanor Grant
Paul Gretton
Sandra Bailey
Alison Treacy
Nancy Saul
Ashley Popay
Laura Crossley
Jeremy Hall
Michael Johnson
Etta Holgate-carruthers
Jill Smith
Anne Howlett
Richard Beck
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Andrea Spooner
Linda Barnett
Mary Rutherford
Lucy Child
Golda Conneely
Jill Wright
Linda Rathbone
Alison Willis
Janet Brammer
Cara Keen
Katherine Knights
Nick Stone
Sarah Burgess
Richard Fair
Ann Parr
Christine Sandom
Bridget Carrington
Diana Giles
Maresa Padmore
Susan Buttolph
Philip Matless
Steve Miller
Matthew Dye
Kate Woodford
Merrin Kalinowski
John Ward
Anna Bentley
Adrian Hennessy
Joanne Sear
Elizabeth Young
Penny Ridley
Elisabeth Traverse
George Nobbs
Rachel Kidd
John Wicks
Jeremy Tod
Sally Wilson-Town
Ben Gill-Davis
Victor Morgan
Ailsa Inglis
Christine Bishop
Anthony Barnes
Anonymous
Daphne Mckenzie
Wendy Booth
Chrissy Ross
Sarah Allan
Katy Hoskyn
Margot Upstone
Vanessa Trevelyan
Ruth Burwood
Peter Walker
Barry Burlingham
Wendy Coote
Natalie Gable
Clare Marsh
Kate Breakes
Bob Dyson
Louise Wright
Susan Laxton
John Fisher
Evelyn Ransome
Anonymous
Anonymous
Joan Hubbard
Helen Leith
Lesley Hanner
Norman Hilton
Keith Challis Smith
David Balfour
Christine Ramage
Alison Birmingham
Joshua Barrow
Madeleine Caynes
Mina Gourlay
Martin Klinge
Anna Glynn
Tracey Bagshaw
Samuel Wilcock
Rachel Holman
Olwen Gotts
Michael Honeybone
Miriam Robbins
Melanie Cousins
Andrew Saul
Hannah Henderson
Richard Blake
Charles Walker
Mark Vaughan
Marilyn Tolhurst
Rupert Eris
James Beatty
Nicholas Dowdeswell
Helen Scott
K Parker
Frances Holmes
Richard Matthew
Shaun Tyrrell
Charlotte Wood
Vikki Nelson
James Deacon
Susan Smith
Caroline Williams
Emily Sadler
Ruth Hicks
Sarah Coleman
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Will Fletcher
Judith Hodgson
Valerie Dean
Peter Dawkins
Freda Rampling
George Archdale
Sandra Martins
Elizabeth Pierce
Sarah Brothwell
Alec Dyson
Peter Holmes
Stephen Durance
M Clifton
Kerry Groves
Stephen Jaggard
Rita Gallard
Sylvia Van Blerk
John Mathews
Glyn Crews
Wayne Kett
Anonymous
Anonymous
Linda Steel
Bethan Holdridge
Johanna Schofield
Kerry Apps
Stella Smith
Sarah Pettegree
Anonymous
Anonymous