TO mark 200 years since the author’s death, Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton has launched Jane’s Fund, an appeal to restore and protect the cottage where she lived and where she wrote some of her most celebrated works.

The £250,000 appeal was officially launched by English historian, author, curator and TV presenter Lucy Worsley, while delivering the annual T Edwards Carpenter Memorial Lecture at the National Portrait Gallery on November 17.

The lecture series is named after the museum’s philanthropic founder, who was working as a solicitor in London in the 1940s when he heard of the opportunity to buy the house in Chawton where Jane Austen wrote and revised her cherished novels.

Entitled Jane Austen at Home, Dr Worsley’s lecture reflected the fact that Jane Austen’s House Museum remains the only home of the author that is open to the public.

And, as chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, it was appropriate that it was she who launched Jane’s Fund as a way, during the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death, of protecting the home that played such a significant part in her life as an author.

Located in the heart of the village, Jane Austen’s house is a site of international cultural importance that welcomes more than 35,000 visitors every year.

Curator Mary Guyatt said: “The building is of Grade I Listed status and recent surveys have shown that vital building repairs are required to ensure that the fabric of the house does not deteriorate further. Exterior and interior work will secure the house now and protect it for future generations.”

The 18th Century house, in which Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life, is definitely in need of some tender loving care. Featuring high on the ‘to do’ list are repairs to the brickwork, the Georgian sash windows, the ceilings, and the granary building.

“In addition, there is an exciting plan to refurbish each of the house’s rooms to bring visitors closer to Austen’s life and works than ever before,” explained Dr Guyatt.

“If you love Jane Austen and want to commemorate this special 200th anniversary by securing the future of the most precious Austen site in the world, please donate to Jane’s Fund.”

Anyone able to give £1,000 or more will be entitled to a private tour of the house. To discuss a particular gift or bequest for Jane’s Fund, call Dr Guyatt on 01420 83262 or e-mail [email protected].