Saving Sir Richard
Sir Richard Francis Burtons' coffin is suffering from mould and deterioration to it's underside. Help Habitats & Heritage to rescue the coffin from collapse.
- Raised £0.00
- Target £12,000.00
Victorian explorer and author Sir Richard Francis Burton is laid to rest in the unique Grade II* Burton Mausoleum in St Mary Magdalen’s Roman Catholic Church, Mortlake. During Habitats & Heritage’s National Lottery Heritage Fund project Burton: Exploring Without Boundaries, we have had an opportunity to enter the mausoleum for the first time in 15 years and have unfortunately discovered that Sir Richard’s coffin is in a poor condition. The underside of the coffin is sagging and moulding, with the exterior surface breaking apart. We are raising funds to restore the underside of the coffin to ensure that it is safe and secure for the future.
As part of the Burton: Exploring Without Boundaries project, we are aiming to reopen the doorway to the public for the first time in over 50 years. It is therefore essential that we address the deterioration to Sir Richard’s coffin and ensure that the mausoleum is environmentally safe for visitors in the future.
Help us to carry out a condition survey to fully understand the scale of the damage and complete the necessary conservation works.
We will only be addressing the structural damage to the underside and will not intervene with the interior of the coffin. The rest of the coffin will be lightly cleaned.
Find out more about our project and Sir Richard Francis Burton here.
*Please note, any funds remaining from this appeal will go towards the conservation and maintenance of the Burton Mausoleum, unless specified by the donor.
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