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.
We want everyone to have the power to make art happen
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
#arthappens
Showing Samson
By Jenny Caynes
Samson has returned to store and is reunited with his partner Hercules... Read more
Samson is saved!
By Jenny Caynes
Our campaign is fully funded and has actually exceeded its target!... Read moreOur final push to bring Samson home
By Jenny Caynes
Time is running out for our Biblical hero. Can you help?... Read more
Samson's return to store
By Jenny Caynes
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 moreExclusive rewards as a thank you
By Jenny Caynes
As a big thank you for helping us save Samson, we have a brilliant selection of exclusive rewards for our donors... Read more
Samson and the friendly invasion
By Jenny Caynes
In this update, we explain how ‘The Samson and Hercules’ club played its part in the war effort in World War Two... Read moreMeet the Artist - Leanda Jaine
By Jenny Caynes
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 more
Samson's new home
By Jenny Caynes
Today we share why our special Samson statue needs a state of the art display case... Read moreSamson emerges from 60 layers of paint
By Jenny Caynes
In this update, we explore the fascinating Samson conservation work undertaken at Plowden and Smith's conservation studio in London... Read more
Samson, Hercules and me.
By Jenny Caynes
Conservator, Cathy Proudlove, explains how she discovered Samson’s amazing secret and her quest to preserve him... Read moreIntroducing Samson - the star of the show
By Jenny Caynes
Why we need you to be part of the special story of Samson... Read more
Five great reasons to help Save Samson
By Jenny Caynes
We've launched our Save Samson campaign! Here are five great reasons to donate... Read moreWith thanks to...
John Fisher
Norwich
Sally Wilson-Town
Norwich
Elizabeth Pierce
NORWICH
Ben Gill-Davis
Norwich
Wendy Booth
Coventry
Catherine Birch
London
Laurence Buck
Norwich
James Hopgood
Diss
Anonymous
Anonymous
Molly Watson
Norwich
Anonymous
Sarah Salmon
Norwich
Chris Moore
Norwich
Paul Bassham Charitable Trust
Norwich
Geoffrey Watling Charity
Norwich
Tracey Bagshaw
Norwich
Alison Treacy
Norwich
Anonymous
Matthew Dye
Mulbarton
Diane Davis
Attleborough
Sarah Pettegree
Dereham
Jessica Goldfinch
Norwich
Anonymous
Andrew Brown
Norwich
James Deacon
Norwich
Jennifer Hooker
NORWICH
Sean & Anna Glynn
Great Yarmouth
Serena Woodcock
Norwich
Sophie Day
Norwich
Richard Laxen
Aylsham
Steve Miller
Norwich
Joanne Sear
Cambridge
Philip Matless
Norwich
Anonymous
Freda Mary Wilkins-Jones
Norwich
Rosalind Palmer
Norwich
Etta Holgate-Carruthers
Norwich
Anonymous
Charlotte Wood
London
Anonymous
Anonymous
ADRIAN HENNESSY
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Donald Barnett
Norwich
Tom Downs
Norwich
Maresa Padmore
Norwich
Anonymous
Pernille Rudlin
Norwich
Anonymous
Martin Klinge
Norwich
Philip Houghton
Lubbock
Diana Giles (nee Cubitt)
Norwich
John Wicks
Norwich
Rachel kidd
Norwich
Anonymous
Susan Priestley (nee Sheldrake)
Chelmsford
Anonymous
Stephanie Potts
Norwich
Anonymous
Kerry Major
Norwich
Ann Rendall
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Helen Scott
Norwich
Rosemary Duff
NORWICH
Anonymous
Anonymous
Sarah Gore
NORWICH
Isobel Wilson
Oxford
Anonymous
Ian Williams
Norwich
Cara Keen
Norwich
Paul Creegan
Norwich
Anonymous
Susan Spivey
North Walsham
Paul & Abby Gretton
Thetford
Alan Edwards
NORWICH
Anonymous
Richard Dixon
Norwich
Samantha Johns
Norwich
Katie Parker
London
Misty Lunn
Norwich
Anonymous
Peter Dawkins
DORKING
Ian Woods
Norwich
Anonymous
Richard Beck
Norwich
Wayne Kett
Wymondham
Colin PYE
STALHAM
Sally Conway
Launceston
Nicholas Dowdeswell
Barcelona
Anonymous
Rachel Hore
Norwich
Bob Dyson
Norwich
Claire Bolster
Norwich
Elaine Tuffield
Norwich
Valerie Dean
Loddon
Anonymous
Jason Coward
Sco Ruston
jill pincher
Norwich
Elliot Sadler
Norwich
Judith Thompson
Haslemere
Lorraine Walker
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Miriam Robbins
NORWICH
Susan Phin
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Sam and Eleanor Lewis-Williams
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Rob Gardner
New Malden
Christine Edens
Norwich
DAPHNE MCFARQUHAR (TRUELOVE)
Sheringham
Jason Zelos
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Steven Jefferson
Norwich
Anonymous
Eileen Smedmor
Downham markets
Anonymous
Gay Abbott
Norwich
Ian Tarrant
Norwich
Susan Laxton
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Sue Springett
Norwich
Anonymous
Janet Negal
Norwich
vincent newman
Norwich
Lesley Mulhall
Lowestoft
RICHARD MATTHEW
Norwich
Stephen Jaggard
Norwich
Anonymous
Jennifer Dawme Taylor
Oberursel
Clive and Sue Lloyd
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Ruth Hicks
Norwich
Tessa Payne
Norwich
Anonymous
Aileen Fox
Fakenham
Simon Watkins
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Katy Hoskyn
Cheltenham
Anonymous
Anonymous
Kerry Apps
London
Anonymous
Anonymous
Richard Fair
Norwich
Olwen Gotts
North Walsham
Robin Sampson
Longfield
Allison Martin
Norwich
Rachel Ley
North Walsham
Shaun Dew
London
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Rupert Eris
Cromer
Sarah Turner
Great Missenden
Kerry Groves
Norwich
James Beatty
Norwich
Jane Emerson
NORWICH
Mina Gourlay
Lowestoft
Marilyn Ayres
Norwich
Moire Lennox
Norwich
Kim Sadler
Norwich
Joanne Plowright
Norwich
Juanita Hawthorne
Thetford
Andrew Evitt
Eye
Vikki Nelson
Norwich
Vanessa Trevelyan
NORWICH
Nick Stone
Norwich
Helen Wilson
NORWICH
Rurh Carrod
Norwich
Anonymous
Lisa Morgan
NORWICH
Katherine Knights
Norwich
Emily Sadler
London
Ann Davidson
Sheringham
Deborah Kelly
NORWICH
Jordan Browning
Norwich
Art Peterson
Spring Grove
Anonymous
Stephen Durance
Norwich
Anonymous
Carol Warman
Mattishall
Kate Breakes
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Linda Dixey
Norwich
Tracey Holmes
Norwich
Pat Middleton
Norwich
Julia Hanson
Norwich
Vik Loveday
Norwich
Charles Walker
Dallas
Peter R Holmes
BECCLES
Anonymous
Alan Kitchell
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Mark Vaughan
London
Rachel Holman
Norwich
Rosalind Malt
Norwich
Caroline Williams
Norwich
Sarah Allan
NORWICH
ALISON WILLIS
Norwich
Naomi Horrocks
NORWICH
Brian Knowles
Kings Lynn
Friends of Norwich Museums
Great Yarmouth
Francesca Vanke
Norwich
Evelyn Ransome
Carmarthen
Anonymous
Joshua Barrow
Gerrards Cross
Angela Fogg
NORWICH
Anonymous
Anonymous
Alison Birmingham
Norwich
Christian Haw
Weymouth
michael sanders
Neath
Clare Marsh
Tonbridge
Carol Howard
Great Yarmouth
Lucina Swain
Exmouth
Anonymous
Catriona Murray
Edinburgh
Andrea Spooner
NORWICH
Anonymous
Harriet Cox
Norwich
Richard Polley
Norwich
Anonymous
Chrissy Ross
Norwich
George Nobbs
Norwich
Penny Ridley
Norwich
Anonymous
Ann Greenizan
Norwich
Anonymous
Margaret Taverna
Croydon
Anonymous
Dee Evans
Great Yarmouth
David Mateer
SHEFFIELD
Victor Morgan
Oulton
Frances & Michael Holmes
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Helen Leith
Norwich
Esther Morgan
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Natalie Gable
Dereham
Anonymous
Susan Smith
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Anonymous
Anonymous
Alec Dyson
Cambridge
Linda Steel
HAYWARDS HEATH
Anonymous
Christine Bishop
London
Anonymous
Pete Hendey
CHELMSFORD
Ashley Carrick
Norwich
Sarah Brothwell
London
Christine Ramage
Kirkcaldy
David Hedges
London
Julia Matheson
RICKMANSWORTH
Anonymous
Anonymous
David Balfour
Norwich
Hazel Pidsley
Norwich
David Plummer
Norwich
Anonymous
Joan Hubbard
Great Yarmouth
Anonymous
Iain Sturch
BIRMINGHAM
michael knights
Norwich
Wendy Coote
Dereham
Jo Warr
Norwich
Richard Malt
Dereham
Anonymous
Paul Dickson
Norwich
Laura Crossley
Norwich
Golda Conneely
Norwich
Anonymous
Marilyn Tolhurst
Norwich
Freda Rampling
Norwich
Sarah Buckenham
Norwich
Anonymous
Richard Blake
Dereham
Anonymous
Eve Mahoney
Norwich
Karen Brown
Norwich
Alistair Bolt
Norwich
David Holloway
Norwich
Lucy Child
Norwich
Betty Lawrence
Norwich
Ian Cooper
Norwich
hannah henderson
Norwich
Anonymous
Oli Dennington-Price
Norwich
Anonymous
Sandra Martins
NORWICH
Amanda Roper
Norwich
Barry Burlingham
Dereham
Kiki Angelrath
Norwich
Anonymous
Anne Olerenshaw
Norwich
John Ward
Norwich
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Kay Hyams
NORWICH
Anonymous
Amanda Hambling
Norwich
Anonymous
Andrew Saul
Bungay
Anonymous
Anonymous
Masha Smith
Norwich
Nancy Saul
London
Anonymous
Anonymous