The Merchant's House (Marlborough) Trust is a registered charity (no. 1010902) and It is governed by its Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
The Trust is managed by a board of volunteer trustees and is run day-to-day by a Trust Manager who is supported by a small number of paid staff and a dedicated team of volunteers who work in the shop, garden and office, in maintenance, running fundraising events, guiding visitors, maintaining archives and a library, and running educational activities for children.
The Trust is a thriving and busy organisation which makes a substantial contribution to the cultural, historic and touristic life of Marlborough
The Merchant's House Trust was established in 1991 when the major part of the current property fell vacant and was acquired by Marlborough Town Council with the intention of setting up a town museum. This remains an objective of the Trust. However, once work began on the House it was revealed to be an important historic discovery in its own right meriting careful conservation and it was decided that most of the initial emphasis should be placed on this work. In addition, the Museum with rolling exhibitions and items of local historical interest, is sited in the 18th century extension to the House.
Our aim is to restore and refurbish the House to the highest standards, rolling back time for visitors to when Thomas Bayly, silk merchant and leading citizen of Marlborough, lived there with his family and servants. Regular guided tours of this magnificent restored 17th Century house are offered from mid-March to mid-October.
