The Pepys Restoration Project
In 2024, we celebrated 300 years since the arrival of the Pepys Library at Magdalene. To preserve this historic collection and enhance accessibility, the College launched a major restoration of the Grade I listed Pepys Building.
The project is now well underway, with careful work being carried out to restore the building’s structure. Once complete, the Pepys Library will benefit from a new roof, upgraded wiring and heating, and a lift to improve accessibility. This restoration will ensure that future generations can continue to explore one of the world’s most remarkable private libraries.
The newly restored Pepys Building will house the Academic Office (Tutorial and Admissions teams), provide new supervision and teaching spaces, and offer dedicated areas for researchers who travel from around the world to study the extraordinary volumes in the Pepys Library.
Thanks to the generosity of our Members and Friends, we have now raised half of the £6.3 million needed to restore this historic building to its former glory. We are deeply grateful for this support, but fundraising continues. Every contribution helps cover the costs of skilled artisans and carefully selected materials—many of which are handmade—to ensure the restoration is carried out to the highest standard. Every pound raised reduces the need to draw from the College’s reserves.
As with the RIBA award-winning New Library, the restoration is being approached with sustainability and heritage preservation in mind.
By supporting the Pepys Restoration Project, you can have your name or that of a loved one recorded in the Book of Benefactors, which will be displayed in the building upon completion.
Project Timeline
Spanning from 2023 until the end of 2026 the Pepys Restoration Project is a major conservation project. This page details the scope of the works.
Preserve a Press
In his 1666 diary, Samuel Pepys recorded that he had lost the use of his books, he had roughly 250 piled in his study and was increasingly frustrated about accessing or damaging them. His solution, he called for ‘Simpson the Joiner’ to help him design ‘a cupboard for books’ which he called Presses.
Support the Pepys Restoration Project (£)
We are looking to you, our Members and Friends, to help restore this important heritage building and the Pepys Library for posterity. Please click here to make a gift in pounds (£).
Support the Pepys Restoration Project ($)
We are looking to you, our Members and Friends, to help restore this important heritage building and the Pepys Library for posterity. Please click here to make a gift in pounds ($).