Test Program 8/30
2023-08-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
TEST. TEST. TEST.

Test Program #2 - 8/31
2023-08-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Meeting

Test Event: In Person
2023-12-23 18:00 - 19:00 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States

Zoom | Henrietta Howard TEST LIVE
2024-01-15 14:00 - 15:00
remarkable resilience, overcoming early hurdles such as the loss of her parents and financial constraints. Her journey was significantly influenced by her marriage to Charles Howard. Beyond her connection with the King, Henrietta cultivated relationships with literary luminaries like Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and John Gay, showcasing her role as an arts patron. While Howard’s history as the King’s mistress is, widely known, recent restoration efforts at Marble Hill, situated serenely along the river Thames in Twickenham, shine a light on her story. These efforts explore

her early marriage and ascent within Georgian society.
The garden’s revival, partially envisioned by Charles Bridgman, adds a botanical dimension to her legacy. Marble Hill itself stands as a testament to neo-Palladian architecture, influenced by renowned Italian architect Andrea Palladio. Crafted by Howard, the villa provided respite from the bustling atmosphere of 18th-century London. The architectural composition blends classical elements with Howard’s unique perspective. Wendy Monkhouse, Senior Curator at English Heritage will explore her creation and her journey through early 18th century life at court, and her role as a gifted patron.

NYC | Anne & Elizabeth: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman
2024-02-15 18:00 - 19:30 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Anne & Elizabeth: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History
Tudor historian and author Tracy Borman will lecture on the most fascinating relationship of the Tudor era as well as unravel and reframe the story of a mother and daughter, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, who changed the course of British history. From her new book—the first-ever joint portrait of the pair—Borman, England’s joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, uncovers the many details belying the speculations surrounding Henry VIII and his wives, and the Virgin Queen’s possible liaisons. Anne Boleyn may be best known for her hasty marriage and untimely end, but her greatest legacy is inextricably tied to the reign of her daughter the future Queen Elizabeth. Borman will explain how Anne was instrumental in reshaping Britain’s religious and political traditions and her years of wielding power over a male dominated court provided a role model for her daughter, Elizabeth. Indeed, Borman will show how much Elizabeth I was influenced by her mother’s legacy in her personal life. She will shed new light on the private desires, hopes, and fears that lay beyond their public personas. Finally, Borman will reveal how both women broke the mold for British queens and for women as a whole during their time.

TRACY BORMAN is England’s joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust. She is the author of many highly acclaimed books, including Crown & Sceptre, Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him, The Private Lives of the Tudors, Thomas Cromwell, Queen of the Conqueror, Elizabeth’s Women, Witches, as well as the trilogy of novels The King’s Witch, The Devil’s Slave, and The Fallen Angel. Borman is also a regular broadcaster and accomplished public speaker.

In-Person Thursday, February 15 | 6:00 pm (ET)
If tickets are no longer available online, we will still be selling them at the door.
Reception and book signing following
The General Society Library
20 W. 44th St. NYC

Zoom | Anne & Elizabeth: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman
2024-02-16 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Tudor historian and author Tracy Borman will lecture on the most fascinating relationship of the Tudor era as well as unravel and reframe the story of a mother and daughter, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, who changed the course of British history. From her new book—the first-ever joint portrait of the pair—Borman, England’s joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, uncovers the many details belying the speculations surrounding Henry VIII and his wives, and the Virgin Queen’s possible liaisons. Anne Boleyn may be best known for her hasty marriage and untimely end, but her greatest legacy is inextricably tied to the reign of her daughter the future Queen Elizabeth. Borman will explain how Anne was instrumental in reshaping Britain’s religious and political traditions and her years of wielding power over a male dominated court provided a role model for her daughter, Elizabeth. Indeed, Borman will show how much Elizabeth I was influenced by her mother’s legacy in her personal life. She will shed new light on the private desires, hopes, and fears that lay beyond their public personas. Finally, Borman will reveal how both women broke the mold for British queens and for women as a whole during their time.

TRACY BORMAN is England’s joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust. She is the author of many highly acclaimed books, including Crown & Sceptre, Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him, The Private Lives of the Tudors, Thomas Cromwell, Queen of the Conqueror, Elizabeth’s Women, Witches, as well as the trilogy of novels The King’s Witch, The Devil’s Slave, and The Fallen Angel. Borman is also a regular broadcaster and accomplished public speaker.
Rent the Recording and watch at your convenience!
The Zoom video link will be sent to you on Friday, February 16 at 12:00 p.m. noon (eastern).
If you do not receive the rental link in your receipt, please email us at zoom@royal-oak.org

Zoom Tour Live | Mind the Gap: London's Underground Unveiled
2024-02-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Meeting
Stephen Benton will guide us through a captivating exploration of the London Underground’s distinctive history. From pioneering the world’s first Underground railway in 1863 to groundbreaking advancements like electric trains in 1890 and the debut of self-service ticket machines in 1904, we will delve into the evolution of this iconic transport system. Our journey will span significant milestones, including the establishment of the first computer-controlled Underground railway in 1968 and the introduction of contactless bank card payments in 2014, all while encountering remarkable landmarks and quirky nuances acquired along the way. Though not a conventional mass transit system designed from scratch, it’s precisely these idiosyncrasies that contribute to the Underground’s undeniable charm. Join us for a fascinating expedition through the twists and turns of this extraordinary story—a testament to London’s innovative spirit in transportation.

Watch LIVE on Tuesday, February 20 at 2:00 p.m. (ET)!
A reminder email with the zoom link will be sent to your email the day of the tour.

Zoom Rental Tour | Mind the Gap: London's Underground Unveiled
2024-02-21 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Stephen Benton will guide us through a captivating exploration of the London Underground’s distinctive history. From pioneering the world’s first Underground railway in 1863 to groundbreaking advancements like electric trains in 1890 and the debut of self-service ticket machines in 1904, we will delve into the evolution of this iconic transport system. Our journey will span significant milestones, including the establishment of the first computer-controlled Underground railway in 1968 and the introduction of contactless bank card payments in 2014, all while encountering remarkable landmarks and quirky nuances acquired along the way. Though not a conventional mass transit system designed from scratch, it’s precisely these idiosyncrasies that contribute to the Underground’s undeniable charm. Join us for a fascinating expedition through the twists and turns of this extraordinary story—a testament to London’s innovative spirit in transportation.

Rent the Recording and watch at your convenience!
The Zoom video link will be sent to you on Wednesday, February 21 at 12:00 p.m. noon (eastern).
Please check your spam or junk folder if you do not receive the link in your inbox. If it is not there by 1:30 p.m. (eastern), contact us right away at zoom@royal-oak.org.

Zoom Live | Cinema on Paper: Collecting Film Posters with Dwight Cleveland
2024-03-01 00:00 - 23:59 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Cinema on Paper: Collecting Film Posters
Tuesday, March 26 | 6:00 p.m. (ET)
Zoom Webinar (Live or Rent)
Twentieth Century Fox (presents) (as Twentieth Century-Fox)BUS STOP (1956) Marilyn Monroe (Costume Design: Travilla); U. K. Double Crown (Tom Chantrell art)
The history of film and Hollywood has long captivated the imaginations of audiences worldwide. From the early days of cinema, movie posters and other ephemera have served as powerful tools to entice viewers and leave a lasting impression. One distinguished member of the Royal Oak Foundation, Mr. Dwight Cleveland, known by his internet handle “PosterBoss,” eloquently described how poster artists “captured the soul” of films and “reduce the entire essence of a movie into a single vivid sheet”. Driven by his appreciation for the graphic nature of movie posters, Cleveland began his collection in high school and has since amassed a remarkable archive of over 4,000 posters and related cinematic advertising. Spanning the years 1914 to 1953, his collection features examples from iconic studios such as Warner Bros., Fox, MGM, Paramount, and RKO.
Encompassing a diverse array of genres including musicals, comedies, Westerns, war films, sci-fi thrillers, dramas, and more, Cleveland’s collection offers a rich tapestry of cinematic history and a panorama of American culture. In an exclusive lecture, Mr. Cleveland will share his passion for collecting this captivating art form and explore its profound impact on popular culture. Drawing from his extensive collection, he will showcase a selection of posters, highlighting their artistic diversity and international significance. Sharing posters from 37 countries, he will offer a fascinating glimpse into the global appeal of film posters. Join us for an enlightening discussion as Mr. Dwight Cleveland illuminates the artistry and cultural significance of film posters, providing insight into their enduring legacy in the world of cinema.

Dwight Cleveland

Mr. Dwight Cleveland is a real-estate developer in Chicago, Illinois who specializes in historic renovations. He began collecting movie posters in 1977, while in high school in MA, spurred on by his teacher’s extensive collection. After moving to Los Angeles, he acquired posters from memorabilia dealers in Hollywood before moving back to the East Coast. At one point Cleveland had the largest privately held film poster collection in the world with 45,000 examples from 58 countries. Recently he has donated much of his collection to worldwide museums including The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum at The University of Exeter in the UK. Part of his collection was featured in the exhibition Coming Soon: Film Posters from the Dwight M. Cleveland Collection at The Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach and illustrated in Cinema on Paper: The Graphic Genius of Movie Posters by Assouline.

Zoom Rental | Cinema on Paper: Collecting Film Posters with Dwight Cleveland
2024-03-27 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Cinema on Paper: Collecting Film Posters
Twentieth Century Fox (presents) (as Twentieth Century-Fox)BUS STOP (1956) Marilyn Monroe (Costume Design: Travilla); U. K. Double Crown (Tom Chantrell art)
The history of film and Hollywood has long captivated the imaginations of audiences worldwide. From the early days of cinema, movie posters and other ephemera have served as powerful tools to entice viewers and leave a lasting impression. One distinguished member of the Royal Oak Foundation, Mr. Dwight Cleveland, known by his internet handle “PosterBoss,” eloquently described how poster artists “captured the soul” of films and “reduce the entire essence of a movie into a single vivid sheet”. Driven by his appreciation for the graphic nature of movie posters, Cleveland began his collection in high school and has since amassed a remarkable archive of over 4,000 posters and related cinematic advertising. His collection features examples from iconic studios such as Warner Bros., Fox, MGM, Paramount, and RKO.
Encompassing a diverse array of genres including musicals, comedies, westerns, war films, sci-fi thrillers, dramas, and more, Cleveland’s collection offers a rich tapestry of cinematic history and a panorama of American culture. In an exclusive lecture, Mr. Cleveland will share his passion for collecting this captivating art form and explore its profound impact on popular culture. Drawing from his extensive collection, he will showcase a selection of posters, highlighting their artistic diversity and international significance. Sharing posters from 37 countries, he will offer a fascinating glimpse into the global appeal of film posters. Join us for an enlightening discussion as Mr. Dwight Cleveland illuminates the artistry and cultural significance of film posters, providing insight into their enduring legacy in the world of cinema.

Dwight Cleveland

is a 48-year veteran of collecting and advocating for vintage film posters. In 1981, Dwight published the first article on film posters while a junior at Columbia College. The 2019 Norton Museum exhibition in West Palm Beach of his Classic Films collection was the first of it’s kind for the art form. The exhibition at Poster House in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood was another first highlighting Women Behind the Camera during the silent film era. Dwight has been quoted and interviewed in various publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Film Collector’s World, Forbes, BBC, NPR, The ROBB Report, Nitrateville and POPCandy. The British publication Art of the Movies has called him the ‘Indiana Jones of Movie Posters.’ Two major acquisitions were highlighted in NBC’s series The Hunt for Amazing Treasure in 1992 and 1994. Assouline Publishing released his book, CINEMA ON PAPER: The Graphic Genius of Movie Posters in 2019. Dwight entered into an Artificial Intelligence project with Dartmouth College in 2022 boosting their data set from 2,500 to over 25,000 giving the project scale and attracting support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He was subsequently named to the newly created post of Associate Visual Cultural Curator, Department of Film & Media Studies, Dartmouth College.

This year Dwight’s collection of Anna May Wong lobby cards was a ‘pop-up’ earlier in March at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. It will travel later in the year to Chicago. And to New York a year from now.
His collection of Maria Félix posters, the Mexican film diva, will be on exhibition at the American University of Paris this Winter.

Zoom Tour Live | Tales on Tap: London's Historic Pubs
2024-04-02 17:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Meeting
ONLINE WALKING TOUR
Tales on Tap: London’s Historic Pubs
Zoom Meeting (Live)
Tuesday, April 2 | 5:00 p.m. ET
The Fleece Inn, near Evesham, Worcestershire
Explore London’s rich tradition of historic pubs with Footprints of London guide, Rob Smith. For centuries, going to the pub has been a quintessential London pastime, and within the city, there exists a treasure trove of intriguing stories behind some of its most beloved drinking establishments. Rob will delve into the fascinating narratives behind a selection of his favorite historic pubs, each with its own unique charm and significance.
Discover the intriguing tale of a pub that retains its license as a pawnbroker, boasting a storied history of loaning money to none other than King George IV. Journey to a former coaching inn now under the stewardship of the National Trust, where echoes of bygone travelers still linger in its walls. Prepare to be enthralled by the story of a pub ingeniously built around the remnants of an old windmill, a testament to London’s ever-evolving urban landscape. Rob will even navigate the tricky, perennially debated question: which establishment truly deserves the title of London’s oldest pub?
Join us as we raise a virtual glass to London’s historic pubs and the captivating tales that have woven themselves into the fabric of the city’s social and cultural tapestry.
Tickets: $30 Members; $40 Non-Member

Zoom Rental Tour | Tales on Tap: London's Historic Pubs
2024-04-03 - 2024-06-30
Tales on Tap: London’s Historic Pubs
Rent the recorded tour to watch at your leisure
The Fleece Inn, near Evesham, Worcestershire
Explore London’s rich tradition of historic pubs with Footprints of London guide, Rob Smith. For centuries, going to the pub has been a quintessential London pastime, and within the city, there exists a treasure trove of intriguing stories behind some of its most beloved drinking establishments. Rob will delve into the fascinating narratives behind a selection of his favorite historic pubs, each with its own unique charm and significance.
Discover the intriguing tale of a pub that retains its license as a pawnbroker, boasting a storied history of loaning money to none other than King George IV. Journey to a former coaching inn now under the stewardship of the National Trust, where echoes of bygone travelers still linger in its walls. Prepare to be enthralled by the story of a pub ingeniously built around the remnants of an old windmill, a testament to London’s ever-evolving urban landscape. Rob will even navigate the tricky, perennially debated question: which establishment truly deserves the title of London’s oldest pub?
Join us as we raise a virtual glass to London’s historic pubs and the captivating tales that have woven themselves into the fabric of the city’s social and cultural tapestry.
TICKETS: $30 Members; $40 Non-Member

Zoom Live | Borrowed Landscapes: The Influence of China and Japan on the English Country House
2024-04-04 14:00 - 15:00
Borrowed Landscapes: The Influence of China and Japan on the English Country House
Thursday, April 4 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
Zoom Webinar (Live)
An English lacquer cabinet, c.1690, in the Morning Room at Saltram, Devon.
From the 17th century onwards, Chinese and Japanese art and ornamentation influenced the design and decoration of interiors and gardens in Britain and Ireland. The importation of Chinese and Japanese luxury goods—lacquer, porcelain, embroidered silk, wallpaper, etc.—allowed designers and homeowners to incorporate these objects into their interiors. The East India Companies also commissioned objects from Chinese and Japanese artisans, incorporating European forms and Western patterns.
However, British designers and artisans also created their own fanciful interpretations of Asian styles and forms, often mistaking the original meaning or purpose behind the designs. These Western-created hybrid styles have been known as chinoiserie and japonisme and remain popular in decoration and design. Over the centuries, even as China and Japan became better known to Europeans, the fictional idea of what is ‘oriental’ remained prevalent in Western design.
Emile de Bruijn, will explore the impact of Chinese and Japanese material culture on British historic houses and gardens, based on the research he undertook (and the photography that was commissioned) for his new book Borrowed Landscapes. De Bruijn will illustrate how elements of Chinese and Japanese culture were admired but often misunderstood by Western craftsmen. He will also show how resulting designs were both idealized and desired, while dismembered and caricatured. Finally, he will explain how the collection of Asian objects in British and Irish country houses and the use of Asian design elements in Western furniture was not just about appropriation but also reflected admiration and an attempt by designers to appeal to the senses and admiration of the beholder.
Emile de Bruijn

Emile de Bruijn studied Japanese at Leiden University, the Netherlands, and museology at Essex University, United Kingdom. After working in the Japanese and Chinese art departments of the auctioneers Sotheby’s, he joined the National Trust where he currently has the role of Assistant National Curator of Decorative Arts. In 2017 he published the monograph Chinese Wallpaper in Britain and Ireland, and his latest book is Borrowed Landscapes: China and Japan in the Historic Houses and Gardens of Britain and Ireland (2023).

Zoom Rental | Borrowed Landscapes: The Influence of China and Japan on the English Country House
2024-04-05 - 2024-06-30
Borrowed Landscapes: The Influence of China and Japan on the English Country House
An English lacquer cabinet, c.1690, in the Morning Room at Saltram, Devon.
From the 17th century onwards, Chinese and Japanese art and ornamentation influenced the design and decoration of interiors and gardens in Britain and Ireland. The importation of Chinese and Japanese luxury goods—lacquer, porcelain, embroidered silk, wallpaper, etc.—allowed designers and homeowners to incorporate these objects into their interiors. The East India Companies also commissioned objects from Chinese and Japanese artisans, incorporating European forms and Western patterns.
However, British designers and artisans also created their own fanciful interpretations of Asian styles and forms, often mistaking the original meaning or purpose behind the designs. These Western-created hybrid styles have been known as chinoiserie and japonisme and remain popular in decoration and design. Over the centuries, even as China and Japan became better known to Europeans, the fictional idea of what is ‘oriental’ remained prevalent in Western design.
Emile de Bruijn, will explore the impact of Chinese and Japanese material culture on British historic houses and gardens, based on the research he undertook (and the photography that was commissioned) for his new book Borrowed Landscapes. De Bruijn will illustrate how elements of Chinese and Japanese culture were admired but often misunderstood by Western craftsmen. He will also show how resulting designs were both idealized and desired, while dismembered and caricatured. Finally, he will explain how the collection of Asian objects in British and Irish country houses and the use of Asian design elements in Western furniture was not just about appropriation but also reflected admiration and an attempt by designers to appeal to the senses and admiration of the beholder.
Emile de Bruijn

Emile de Bruijn studied Japanese at Leiden University, the Netherlands, and museology at Essex University, United Kingdom. After working in the Japanese and Chinese art departments of the auctioneers Sotheby’s, he joined the National Trust where he currently has the role of Assistant National Curator of Decorative Arts. In 2017 he published the monograph Chinese Wallpaper in Britain and Ireland, and his latest book is Borrowed Landscapes: China and Japan in the Historic Houses and Gardens of Britain and Ireland (2023).

NYC In-Person Tour | Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature at the Morgan Library
2024-04-09 13:30 - 15:00 | The Morgan Library, 225 MADISON AVENUE, New York, NY, 10013
Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature
In-Person (not recorded)
Tuesday, April 9 | 1:30 p.m. ET
Join Royal Oak as the Morgan Library takes us on this captivating tour through Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature, a celebration of the beloved author and illustrator’s century-spanning legacy. Renowned for creating unforgettable characters like Peter Rabbit, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Potter’s creative prowess and entrepreneurial spirit set her apart as one of the most celebrated children’s authors in history. Explore the roots of her artistic inspiration, drawn from childhood summers spent in Scotland and the English Lake District, and witness the impact of her famous menagerie of pets on her picture letters and published tales.
The tour will showcase her botanical drawings, picturesque Lake District landscapes, and charming characters featured in humorous letters to friends. Additionally, rare works and unseen photos from family albums will be unveiled, providing a more intimate glimpse into Potter’s life. This exhibit tour not only honors Potter’s literary contributions but also sheds light on her achievements as a storyteller, artist, and naturalist. Join us on this enchanting journey through the life and works of Beatrix Potter, a visionary whose influence continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
MEETING PLACE: MORGAN LIBRARY
225 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10013

NYC | Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII with Jane Marguerite Tippett
2024-04-11 18:00 - 19:30 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII
Thursday, April 11 | 6:00 p.m. (ET) Reception and book signing following
The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, NYC (Bet. 5th and 6th)

Many people are familiar with the history of the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII who gave up the British throne to marry the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson. Although an-often-repeated story, historian and author Jane Marguerite Tippett brings new insight through her astonishing discovery of the first and unedited drafts of Edward’s memoir A King’s Story, written with the assistance of Life magazine journalist Charles J.V. Murphy. Preserved in Murphy’s archive, but overlooked by previous Royal scholars, Tippett uncovered the private manuscript that Edward created between 1947 and 1951.
She also discovered hundreds of pages of interviews Murphy conducted with the couple in 1954 when he was working on the Duchess’s biography. In her lecture, Tippett will explore the significance of this material and how through Edward’s writing, we gain an entirely new understanding of his life as Prince of Wales as well as the momentous events of his brief 11-month reign. Tippett will scrutinize the ways in which Edward’s writings shift our understanding of his importance in the history of the 20th-century British monarchy and explore how this material may change people’s perspective on the significance of his royal career.

Jane Marguerite Tippett

Jane Tippett is a historian and archivist. She graduated from University of Delaware with a BA in French, History and English Literature. She received her MSt. in History of Art from Wadham College, Oxford, where she wrote her dissertation on the centrality of provenance in the contemporary fine art auction market. Since graduating she has worked as a private archivist to high-net-worth families and interior design firms in New York City, Boston, and London. Once A King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII (Hodder & Stoughton, October 2023) is her first book. Her next book, Monsieur, which will be published in May 2024, is a survey of the photographic work of Patrick O’Higgins, the biographer and longtime companion of Helena Rubinstein.

Or Rent the Recording!

Zoom Rental | Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII with Jane Marguerite Tippett
2024-04-12 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII

Many people are familiar with the history of the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII who gave up the British throne to marry the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson. Although an-often-repeated story, historian and author Jane Marguerite Tippett brings new insight through her astonishing discovery of the first and unedited drafts of Edward’s memoir A King’s Story, written with the assistance of Life magazine journalist Charles J.V. Murphy. Preserved in Murphy’s archive, but overlooked by previous Royal scholars, Tippett uncovered the private manuscript that Edward created between 1947 and 1951.
She also discovered hundreds of pages of interviews Murphy conducted with the couple in 1954 when he was working on the Duchess’s biography. In her lecture, Tippett will explore the significance of this material, and how through Edward’s writing we gain an entirely new understanding of his life as Prince of Wales as well as the momentous events of his brief 11-month reign. Tippett will scrutinize the ways in which Edward’s writings shift our understanding of his importance in the history of the 20th-century British monarchy and explore how this material may change people’s perspective on the significance of his royal career.
Jane Marguerite Tippett

Jane Tippett is a historian and archivist. She graduated from University of Delaware with a BA in French, History and English Literature. She received her MSt. in History of Art from Wadham College, Oxford, where she wrote her dissertation on the centrality of provenance in the contemporary fine art auction market. Since graduating she has worked as a private archivist to high-net-worth families and interior design firms in New York City, Boston, and London. Once A King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII (Hodder & Stoughton, October 2023) is her first book. Her next book, Monsieur, which will be published in May 2024, is a survey of the photographic work of Patrick O’Higgins, the biographer and longtime companion of Helena Rubinstein.
Rent the recording and watch at your leisure!

Zoom Live | A Collector’s Country House: William Randolph Hearst with Victoria Kastner
2024-04-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
A Collector’s Country House: William Randolph Hearst
Tuesday, April 16 | 6:00 p.m. (ET)
Zoom Webinar (Live)
When Winston Churchill visited William Randolph Hearst’s estate at San Simeon during Churchill’s 1929 California tour, he was pleasantly surprised. Though he had been expecting “a Monte Carlo casino perched atop the Rock of Gibraltar,” he found instead a stunning country house and an intriguing host. Hearst was an art collector in the 18th-century English tradition. Like William Beckford and Horace Walpole, Hearst personally selected every object in his vast collection, and determined its location. For 28 years, Julia Morgan—the first female architect to gain worldwide prominence—worked right beside him creating La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill), as it was formally known.
At San Simeon, Hearst blended English country house traditions with Californian informalities. Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, and all the Hollywood set rubbed elbows with Calvin Coolidge and Bernard Shaw. Presiding as hostess was Hearst’s companion, the actress Marion Davies. The end result was a quintessentially American country house with English style gardens: built by a media mogul, designed by a woman architect, presided over by a Hollywood starlet, and forever immortalized by a film—Orson Welles’s brooding Citizen Kane. Victoria Kastner will discuss Hearst’s extensive art collection—Renaissance tapestries, Mediterranean furniture, English silver, and architectural fragments galore—and provide lively anecdotes about the hilltop, in this examination of America’s most glamorous country house and estate.
Victoria Kastner

Victoria Kastner is a leading scholar and author about the architect Julia Morgan as well as about Hearst Castle, where she worked for 30 years and was the historian. She is the author of Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House, with a foreword by George Plimpton, published by Harry N. Abrams in 2000; Hearst’s San Simeon: The Gardens and the Land, May 2009; and Hearst Ranch: Family, Land and Legacy. She co-authored The Beverly Hills Hotel: The First 100 Years with Robert Anderson. In 2022, Victoria published Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect. Ms. Kastner has lectured extensively on Julia Morgan, Hearst’s art collection, and the history of collection for many museums and groups: including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the American Museum in Britain in Bath; and the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. She has also written about Hearst, San Simeon, and Morgan for The London Telegraph, the American Institute of Architects, Oxford University’s Journal of the History of Collections, and The Magazine Antiques.

Zoom Rental | A Collector’s Country House: William Randolph Hearst with Victoria Kastner
2024-04-17 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
A Collector’s Country House: William Randolph Hearst
When Winston Churchill visited William Randolph Hearst’s estate at San Simeon during Churchill’s 1929 California tour, he was pleasantly surprised. Though he had been expecting “a Monte Carlo casino perched atop the Rock of Gibraltar,” he found instead a stunning country house and an intriguing host. Hearst was an art collector in the 18th-century English tradition. Like William Beckford and Horace Walpole, Hearst personally selected every object in his vast collection, and determined its location. For 28 years, Julia Morgan—the first female architect to gain worldwide prominence—worked right beside him creating La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill), as it was formally known.
At San Simeon, Hearst blended English country house traditions with Californian informalities. Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, and all the Hollywood set rubbed elbows with Calvin Coolidge and Bernard Shaw. Presiding as hostess was Hearst’s companion, the actress Marion Davies. The end result was a quintessentially American country house with English style gardens: built by a media mogul, designed by a woman architect, presided over by a Hollywood starlet, and forever immortalized by a film—Orson Welles’s brooding Citizen Kane. Victoria Kastner will discuss Hearst’s extensive art collection—Renaissance tapestries, Mediterranean furniture, English silver, and architectural fragments galore—and provide lively anecdotes about the hilltop, in this examination of America’s most glamorous country house and estate.
Victoria Kastner

Victoria Kastner is a leading scholar and author about the architect Julia Morgan as well as about Hearst Castle, where she worked for 30 years and was the historian. She is the author of Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House, with a foreword by George Plimpton, published by Harry N. Abrams in 2000; Hearst’s San Simeon: The Gardens and the Land, May 2009; and Hearst Ranch: Family, Land and Legacy. She co-authored The Beverly Hills Hotel: The First 100 Years with Robert Anderson.
In 2022, Victoria published Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect. Ms. Kastner has lectured extensively on Julia Morgan, Hearst’s art collection, and the history of collection for many museums and groups: including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the American Museum in Britain in Bath; and the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. She has also written about Hearst, San Simeon, and Morgan for The London Telegraph, the American Institute of Architects, Oxford University’s Journal of the History of Collections, and The Magazine Antiques.
Rent the recording and enjoy the lecture at your leisure!

NYC | Cotswold Manors and Gardens with Paula Henderson
2024-04-18 18:00 - 19:30 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Cotswold Manors and Gardens
The Cotswold hills with their mellow stone cottages, elegant manor houses and imposing castles contain some of the most important historic gardens in England. A virtual history of English gardens can be found in Gloucestershire, parts of Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. Although little survives of the Roman and medieval periods, some very early gardens remain: Thornbury Castle and Horton Court are two remarkable early 16th century gardens. From the 17th century, the restored gardens at Westbury Court are well known, while ghosts of the late 17th-century gardens at Dyrham Park are more challenging to discover.
The 18th century is represented in the poetic garden at Rousham, William Kent’s best surviving landscape, as well as in Capability Brown’s most famous garden at Blenheim Palace. Quirkier examples of the English landscape are found at Painswick and Sezincote.
Modern gardens, too, are impressive: the Arts and Crafts garden at Snowshill and especially Major Lawrence Johnston’s Hidcote Manor, which became a model for so many later garden designs. This lecture covers the history of the English garden, using both famous and little-known gardens, all set in the most unspoiled part of England.
Paula Henderson

Paula Henderson has degrees in art history (University of Chicago, M.A.) and Ph.D. in architectural history from the Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London). She lectures widely in Britain (where she lived for 43 years) and the United States and has published over seventy articles on English Houses and their settings. Her first book, The Tudor House and Garden: Architecture and Landscape in the 16th and 17th Centuries (published by Yale University Press), won the Berger Prize for the outstanding contribution to the history of British art 2005. Treehouses (co-authored with Adam Mornement) was published by Francis Lincoln, also in 2005. She is currently completing books on London gardens in the age of Shakespeare and on the Landscape as Art.
She taught courses for the Courtauld Institute of Art Institute Art for many years and, most recently for the V& A Museum. She has lectures for the Paul Mellon Center for British Art, the Architectural Association, both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Birkbeck College, Christie’s Education, The Inchbald School of Design, the V&A Museum, the Tate Gallery, The Garden History Society, Sir John Soane’s Museum, Sotheby’s Educational Studies, and many others. She led tours for the Courtauld Institute to Florence (‘Gardens of the Medici’) Debyshire (‘Elizabethan Architecture’) and the Cotswolds (‘Gardens of the Cotswolds’). While living in England, she also traveled to the United States to lecture for the Society of Architectural Historians, The Garden Club of America, The Royal Oak Foundation, and the Williamsburg Institute. She is a Fellow of Society of Antiquaries of London and now splits her time between Nantucket, MA and Williamsburg, VA.
Thursday, April 18 | 6:00 p.m. (ET) Reception following
The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, NYC (Bet. 5th and 6th)

Zoom Rental | Cotswold Manors and Gardens with Paula Henderson
2024-04-19 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Cotswold Manors and Gardens
The Cotswold hills with their mellow stone cottages, elegant manor houses and imposing castles contain some of the most important historic gardens in England. A virtual history of English gardens can be found in Gloucestershire, parts of Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire. Although little survives of the Roman and medieval periods, some very early gardens remain: Thornbury Castle and Horton Court are two remarkable early 16th century gardens. From the 17th century, the restored gardens at Westbury Court are well known, while ghosts of the late 17th-century gardens at Dyrham Park are more challenging to discover.
The 18th century is represented in the poetic garden at Rousham, William Kent’s best surviving landscape, as well as in Capability Brown’s most famous garden at Blenheim Palace. Quirkier examples of the English landscape are found at Painswick and Sezincote.
Modern gardens, too, are impressive: the Arts and Crafts garden at Snowshill and especially Major Lawrence Johnston’s Hidcote Manor, which became a model for so many later garden designs. This lecture covers the history of the English garden, using both famous and little-known gardens, all set in the most unspoiled part of England.
Paula Henderson

Paula Henderson has degrees in art history (University of Chicago, M.A.) and Ph.D. in architectural history from the Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London). She lectures widely in Britain (where she lived for 43 years) and the United States and has published over seventy articles on English Houses and their settings. Her first book, The Tudor House and Garden: Architecture and Landscape in the 16th and 17th Centuries (published by Yale University Press), won the Berger Prize for the outstanding contribution to the history of British art 2005. Treehouses (co-authored with Adam Mornement) was published by Francis Lincoln, also in 2005. She is currently completing books on London gardens in the age of Shakespeare and on the Landscape as Art.
She taught courses for the Courtauld Institute of Art Institute for many years and, most recently for the V&A museum. She has lectures for the Paul Mellon Center for British Art, the Architectural Association, both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Birkbeck college, Christie’s Education, The Inchbald School of Design, the V&A museum, the Tate Gallery, The Garden History Society, Sir John Soane’s Museum, Sotheby’s Educational Studies and many others. She led tours for the Courtauld Institute to Florence (‘Gardens of the Medici’) Debyshire (‘Elizabethan architecture’) and the Cotswolds (‘Gardens of the Cotswolds’). While living in England, she also traveled to the United States to lecture for the Society of Architectural Historians, The Garden Club of America, The royal Oak Foundation, and the Williamsburg Institute. She is a Fellow of Society of Antiquaries of London and now splits her time between Nantucket, MA and Williamsburg, VA.

Zoom Tour Live | Americans Abroad: Shaping Culture and Influence 19th-and-20th Century
2024-04-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Meeting
Americans Abroad: Shaping Culture and Influence 19th-and-20th Century
Americans have left an indelible mark on London, shaping and influencing various facets of the city’s landscape. From Harry Gordon Selfridge, a retail maverick who revolutionized the shopping experience, to Charles Tyson Yerkes, a key figure in the development of the tube network, Americans have played pivotal roles in transforming London. Witness the profound influence of figures like Waldorf and Nancy Astor, who transitioned from Americans to influential British politicians. London’s cultural tapestry is enriched further by the presence of notable artists and writers, including James McNeil Whistler, John Singer Sargent, and T.S. Eliot, who chose London as their creative haven. The city’s musical landscape, too, bears the imprints of American artists who found a special connection with London. Icons like Judy Garland, Paul Robeson, and Jimi Hendrix contribute to the unique bond between American musicians and the vibrant London scene.

Join Stephen Benton on this insightful exploration as he unveils the stories of these Americans who have not only left an enduring legacy but have also significantly altered the fabric of London itself. From retail to politics, arts, and music, discover the diverse ways in which these individuals have shaped and changed the dynamic city of London.
Zoom Meeting (Live)
Tuesday, April 23 | 2:00 p.m. ET

Zoom Rental Tour | Americans Abroad: Shaping Culture and Influence 19th-and-20th Century
2024-04-24 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Meeting
Americans Abroad: Shaping Culture and Influence 19th-and-20th Century
Americans have left an indelible mark on London, shaping and influencing various facets of the city’s landscape. From Harry Gordon Selfridge, a retail maverick who revolutionized the shopping experience, to Charles Tyson Yerkes, a key figure in the development of the tube network, Americans have played pivotal roles in transforming London. Witness the profound influence of figures like Waldorf and Nancy Astor, who transitioned from Americans to influential British politicians. London’s cultural tapestry is enriched further by the presence of notable artists and writers, including James McNeil Whistler, John Singer Sargent, and T.S. Eliot, who chose London as their creative haven. The city’s musical landscape, too, bears the imprints of American artists who found a special connection with London. Icons like Judy Garland, Paul Robeson, and Jimi Hendrix contribute to the unique bond between American musicians and the vibrant London scene.

Join Stephen Benton on this insightful exploration as he unveils the stories of these Americans who have not only left an enduring legacy but have also significantly altered the fabric of London itself. From retail to politics, arts, and music, discover the diverse ways in which these individuals have shaped and changed the dynamic city of London

Zoom Live | The Restoration of Bath’s Assembly Rooms with Connolly and Wellingham
2024-04-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Preserving History: The Restoration of Bath’s Assembly Rooms

Managed by the National Trust since 1931, the Assembly Rooms hold a special place in Bath’s history and culture, offering contemporary visitors an immersive experience into the Georgian era. Join Royal Oak as we hear from Connolly Wellingham Architects, the architectural design and conservation studio appointed by the National Trust to assist with interior design and conservation of this significant showpiece, ahead of the Trust’s resumption of management of the site. The project will assess the feasibility of revealing currently hidden layers of historic fabric throughout the Assembly Rooms and seek to tell a wider, immersive story of Bath’s society heyday.
Built during the Georgian era and designed by the esteemed architect John Wood the Younger, the Assembly Rooms have long been at the heart of fashionable society. Completed in 1771, these rooms were hailed as “the most noble and elegant” in the UK, hosting a vibrant array of social gatherings and events. The restoration project includes initiatives that promise to transform the Assembly Rooms into a true reflection of their Georgian heritage. Among these initiatives is the replacement of the modern staircases with a unique Georgian-inspired design. Additionally, the re-gilding of mirrors and marbling of columns will restore the room’s opulence and grandeur, while new front doors will welcome guests with a touch of splendor. Removal of infill and installation of new light wells will flood the area with natural light, recreating the original entrance experience. Also, upgrading to slimline double-glazed windows will ensure both preservation and comfort, allowing guests to enjoy the Assembly Rooms in all seasons. Join us as we delve into the restoration journey, combining historical preservation with modern innovation to breathe new life into this iconic Georgian landmark.

Fergus Connolly is from Lancashire and studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art, and London Metropolitan University. Fergus undertook the SPAB’s Lethaby Scholarship in 2008, and was awarded first prize in the Georgian Group’s Architectural Drawing Competition (presented by HRH The Prince of Wales), later that year. From 2003-2006, Fergus worked for Martin Stancliffe Architects. In the role of Cathedral Surveyors, the practice undertook St. Paul’s Cathedral’s largest phase of repair and reordering since it’s completion in 1711. At FCBStudios Fergus spent 8 years as church architect to Grade 1 listed Bath Abbey, and project architect for The Footprint Project. The project secured £10.5m of HLF support to repair and stabilise the collapsing Abbey floor. During his time at FCBS he also worked on Shrewsbury Flax Mill, Windsor Castle’s Visitor Masterplan and new conservation studio for the Royal Collection. He authored The Burrell Collection’s Statement of Significance. Fergus lectures and tutors across the UK on vernacular architecture.

Charles Wellingham grew up in Somerset and studied architecture at University of Plymouth and the University of the West of England, during which time his work was commended by the SPAB Philip Webb award and shortlisted for the RIBA President’s Silver Medal. During 6 years at FCBStudios, Charlie was the project architect responsible for delivering the heritage led regeneration of Middleport Pottery in Stoke on Trent for the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. The site was built in 1888 and has been home to the Burleigh factory for 150 years. As well as securing the continuation of Burleigh’s craft, the brief sought to strengthen the economic sustainability of the grade II* listed site by introducing additional complementary uses, education spaces and visitor facilities. The refurbishment was awarded a national RIBA award, a Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award and a Europa Nostra Prize for European Cultural Heritage Conservation Excellence. In 2014, he rejoined FCBS and was responsible for leading the design team overseeing the creative reuse of the former Guildhall court rooms in the heart of medieval Bristol. This included securing Planning and Listed Building Consent for the extension and conversion of the Grade I and II* listed buildings into a hotel complex. Charlie is an associate lecturer at the UWE Architecture School and guest critic in the Part 2 Conservation Studio. Charlie was elected to join the Conservation Register in 2016.

Zoom Rental | The Restoration of Bath’s Assembly Rooms with Connolly and Wellingham
2024-04-25 - 2024-07-07 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Preserving History: The Restoration of Bath’s Assembly Rooms
Managed by the National Trust since 1931, the Assembly Rooms hold a special place in Bath’s history and culture, offering contemporary visitors an immersive experience into the Georgian era. Join Royal Oak as we hear from Connolly Wellingham Architects, the architectural design and conservation studio, appointed by the National Trust to assist with interior design and conservation of this significant showpiece, ahead of the Trust’s resumption of management of the site. The project will assess the feasibility of revealing currently hidden layers of historic fabric throughout the Assembly Rooms and seek to tell a wider, immersive story of Bath’s society heyday.
Built during the Georgian era and designed by the esteemed architect John Wood the Younger, the Assembly Rooms have long been at the heart of fashionable society. Completed in 1771, these rooms were hailed as “the most noble and elegant” in the UK, hosting a vibrant array of social gatherings and events. The restoration project includes initiatives that promise to transform the Assembly Rooms into a true reflection of their Georgian heritage. Among these initiatives is the replacement of the modern staircases with a unique Georgian-inspired design. Additionally, the re-gilding of mirrors and marbling of columns will restore the room’s opulence and grandeur, while new front doors will welcome guests with a touch of splendor. Removal of infill and installation of new light wells will flood the area with natural light, recreating the original entrance experience. Also, upgrading to slimline double-glazed windows will ensure both preservation and comfort, allowing guests to enjoy the Assembly Rooms in all seasons. Join us as we delve into the restoration journey, combining historical preservation with modern innovation to breathe new life into this iconic Georgian landmark.
Fergus Connolly is from Lancashire and studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art and London Metropolitan University. Fergus undertook the SPAB’s Lethaby Scholarship in 2008 and was awarded first prize in the Georgian Group’s Architectural Drawing Competition (presented by HRH The Prince of Wales), later that year. From 2003-2006, Fergus worked for Martin Stancliffe Architects. In the role of Cathedral Surveyors, the practice undertook St. Paul’s Cathedral’s largest phase of repair and reordering since it’s completion in 1711. At FCBStudios, Fergus spent 8 years as church architect to Grade 1 listed Bath Abbey, and project architect for The Footprint Project. The project secured £10.5m of HLF support to repair and stabilise the collapsing Abbey floor. During his time at FCBS he also worked on Shrewsbury Flax Mill, Windsor Castle’s Visitor Masterplan and new conservation studio for the Royal Collection. He authored The Burrell Collection’s Statement of Significance. Fergus lectures and tutors across the UK on vernacular architecture.
Charles Wellingham grew up in Somerset and studied architecture at University of Plymouth and the University of the West of England, during which time his work was commended by the SPAB Philip Webb award and shortlisted for the RIBA President’s Silver Medal. During 6 years at FCBStudios, Charlie was the project architect responsible for delivering the heritage led regeneration of Middleport Pottery in Stoke on Trent for the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. The site was built in 1888 and has been home to the Burleigh factory for 150 years. As well as securing the continuation of Burleigh’s craft, the brief sought to strengthen the economic sustainability of the grade II* listed site by introducing additional complementary uses, education spaces and visitor facilities. The refurbishment was awarded a national RIBA award, a Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award and a Europa Nostra Prize for European Cultural Heritage Conservation Excellence. In 2014, he rejoined FCBS and was responsible for leading the design team overseeing the creative reuse of the former Guildhall court rooms in the heart of medieval Bristol. This included securing Planning and Listed Building Consent for the extension and conversion of the Grade I and II* listed buildings into a hotel complex. Charlie is an associate lecturer at the UWE Architecture School and guest critic in the Part 2 Conservation Studio. Charlie was elected to join the Conservation Register in 2016.

Zoom Live | Wilton House: An English Treasure House with Jeremy Musson
2024-05-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Wilton House: An English Treasure House
Wilton House, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, has been the seat of the Earls of Pembroke for over 400 years – it is now home to the 18th Earl and Countess of Pembroke. Like many great English country houses, Wilton was built on the site of a medieval abbey, in this case given by King Henry VIII in 1544 courtier Sir William Pembroke, later 1st Earl Pembroke (1501-1570). Wilton has been shaped by some of the most significant names in architecture and interior design. Some of the 16th-century house survives, but the most notable part of the house today is that remodelled in the 1640s for Philip Herbert, the 4th Earl of Pembroke (1584-1650), by Inigo Jones (1573-1652) and Salomon de Caus. It represents a significant moment in the transition to classically inspired architecture in Britain. Further alterations in the early 1800s included a magnificent cloister by James Wyatt (1746-1813) for the 11th Earl of Pembroke (1759-1852) designed to display a collection of classical sculpture.

The Single and Double Cube state rooms designed by Inigo Jones and John Webb are considered some of the finest of English interiors, and the house contains the outstanding collections of classical sculpture and Old Master paintings. Architectural historian Jeremy Musson will illustrate the rich interiors and artistic masterpieces and show what they reveal about changing values and attitudes to art, architecture, and decoration, as well as the story of the Earls of Pembroke.
Jeremy Musson is a leading commentator and authority on the English country house. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and sits on a number of boards and trusts including the Country House Foundation. He was awarded an MPhil in Renaissance History at the Warburg Institute, University of London, in 1989 and was Architectural Editor of Country Life from 1995-2007. Before joining Country Life in 1995, Mr. Musson was an assistant regional curator for the National Trust in East Anglia. He has written and edited hundreds of articles on historic country houses. Mr. Musson also presented 14 programmes on BBC 2, making up two series called The Curious House Guest in 2005-07, and he also lectures and supervises for academic programmes with Cambridge University, London University, Buckingham University, and the Attingham Summer School. Among his books include Up and Down Stairs: The History of the English Country House Servant (2009), English Country House Interiors (2011), Robert Adam: Country House Design, Decoration & the Art of Elegance (2017), The Country House: Past, Present, Future: Great Houses of the British Isles (2018), and Romantics and Classics: Style in the English Country House (Rizzoli, 2021).

Zoom Rental | Wilton House: An English Treasure House with Jeremy Musson
2024-05-02 - 2024-06-30 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States

NYC | In the Footsteps of Jane Austen: A Writer's Love of Bath with Devoney Looser
2024-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Lyme Park
In the Footsteps of Jane Austen: A Writer’s Love of Bath
Bath, England, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries was a fraught, fascinating place, not only because of the supposed healing powers of its waters, but because of its notoriety as a marriage market.
The popular spa town was imagined as a magical destination. Day-to-day life there, however, could fall short of the ideal, as Jane Austen’s fiction so vividly describes. Emma’s jilted Mr. Elton finds himself an equally odious wife there, with shocking speed. Persuasion’s heroine Anne Elliot, we’re told, “disliked Bath.” Her sour older sister mistakenly predicts that “nobody will want” Anne in Bath, but there Anne eventually does find herself in love and beloved (again).

In Northanger Abbey, heroine Catherine Morland and her circle hope Bath will supply the “adventures” she lacks in her home village. Catherine isn’t disappointed, although her early experiences involve days of “looking at everybody and speaking to no one,” and many of the friends she makes prove false ones. Thanks to these enduring stories, scenes, and characters, today’s Bath has become a destination city for “Janeites”, who retrace the Austen’s steps in Assembly Rooms, concert halls, and the famous Pump Room.
Sewing table in Boudoir at Saltram ©National Trust Images Andreas von Einsiedel
But what was Bath really like for a young, unmarried woman in this era, whether in search of adventure, authorship, marriage, love, or all four? Few letters survive from Jane Austen during the time she lived in Bath from 1801-05. Scholars also debate whether she was happy or miserable.

In her lecture, Devoney Looser will revisit the question of Austen’s happiness in Bath focusing on the years leading up to the Regency period. She will show Bath’s many attractions and obstacles, as seen not only through the famous novelist’s eyes, but in the accounts of other writers who visited during this transformational era.
Devoney Looser, Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, is the author or editor of 11 books, most recently the biography Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters, Who Paved the Way for Austen and the Brontës (Bloomsbury US, 2022). She is also the author of The Making of Jane Austen (2017) and the editor of The Daily Jane Austen: A Year of Quotes (2019). Looser, a Guggenheim Fellow and an NEH Public Scholar, has published essays in The Atlantic, New York Times, Salon, Slate,TLS, and The Washington Post. Her series of 24, 30-minute lectures on Austen is available through The Great Courses and Audible. Her next book, Wild for Austen, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in 2025. In addition to being a quirky book nerd, she plays roller derby under the name ‘Stone Cold Jane Austen’.

Zoom Rental | In the Footsteps of Jane Austen: A Writer's Love of Bath with Devoney Looser
2024-05-03 - 2024-07-07 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Lyme Park
In the Footsteps of Jane Austen: A Writer’s Love of Bath
Bath, England, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries was a fraught, fascinating place, not only because of the supposed healing powers of its waters, but because of its notoriety as a marriage market. The popular spa town was imagined as a magical destination. Day-to-day life there, however, could fall short of the ideal, as Jane Austen’s fiction so vividly describes. Emma’s jilted Mr. Elton finds himself an equally odious wife there, with shocking speed. Persuasion’s heroine Anne Elliot, we’re told, “disliked Bath.” Her sour older sister mistakenly predicts that “nobody will want” Anne in Bath, but there Anne eventually does find herself in love and beloved (again).

In Northanger Abbey, heroine Catherine Morland and her circle hope Bath will supply the “adventures” she lacks in her home village. Catherine isn’t disappointed, although her early experiences involve days of “looking at everybody and speaking to no one,” and many of the friends she makes prove false ones. Thanks to these enduring stories, scenes, and characters, today’s Bath has become a destination city for “Janeites”, who retrace the Austen’s steps in Assembly Rooms, concert halls, and the famous Pump Room.
Sewing table in Boudoir at Saltram ©National Trust Images Andreas von Einsiedel

But what was Bath really like for a young, unmarried woman in this era, whether in search of adventure, authorship, marriage, love, or all four? Few letters survive from Jane Austen during the time she lived in Bath from 1801-05. Scholars also debate whether she was happy or miserable.

In her lecture, Devoney Looser will revisit the question of Austen’s happiness in Bath focusing on the years leading up to the Regency period. She will show Bath’s many attractions and obstacles, as seen not only through the famous novelist’s eyes, but in the accounts of other writers who visited during this transformational era.
Devoney Looser, Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, is the author or editor of 11 books, most recently the biography Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters, Who Paved the Way for Austen and the Brontës (Bloomsbury US, 2022). She is also the author of The Making of Jane Austen (2017) and the editor of The Daily Jane Austen: A Year of Quotes (2019). Looser, a Guggenheim Fellow and an NEH Public Scholar, has published essays in The Atlantic, New York Times, Salon, Slate, TLS, and The Washington Post. Her series of 24, 30-minute lectures on Austen is available through The Great Courses and Audible. Her next book, Wild for Austen, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in 2025. In addition to being a quirky book nerd, she plays roller derby under the name ‘Stone Cold Jane Austen’.

Zoom Tour Live | Scenic Scotland: Dumfries
2024-05-07 17:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Meeting
Scenic Scotland: Dumfries
While not as widely recognized as the Highlands of the north, Dumfriesshire boasts an abundance of scenic beauty that rivals any other region in Scotland. Our guide Rob Smith will take us on a virtual journey through the breathtaking landscapes known as the Queen of Scotland of the South. We will explore the majestic rocky coastlines, traverse the rolling hills of the Southern Uplands Way, visit the sands of the Solway Firth, and uncover Dumfries’ spectacular castles—including the iconic triangular fortress, the only one of its kind in Scotland. We will hear stories of remarkable individuals hailing from Dumfriesshire, such as naval Captain John Paul Jones and the beloved author of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie. And no exploration of Dumfriesshire would be complete without delving into the life and legacy of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns…haggis not included.
