The Royal Oak Foundation

Zoom | Six Islington Squares Virtual Tour
2026-02-18 17:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Rob Smith will take us on a virtual stroll as we admire the domestic architecture of 19th century Islington. During the 19th Century the farmland of Barnsbury gave way to a succession of building schemes that created some of the worlds first suburbs. Each square was developed by a different landowner with a different architect, so they each have their own look. Rob will look at the people who lived in the squares – theatre critics, journalists, singers and experts in guerilla warfare!
This is a live virtual tour hosted via Zoom meeting where your guide will give an illustrated presentation of the tour route with an accompanying talk. There will be opportunities for questions and interaction after the virtual tour.

Tickets: $30 members*; $40 non-members
*Membership discount applied automatically when logged into your Royal-Oak.org account

Zoom Rental | Six Islington Squares Virtual Tour
2026-02-19 12:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States

Zoom | Bath Assembly Rooms
2026-03-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Join Bath Assembly Room curators, Tatjana LeBoff and Emily Roy, online for a talk which will reveal the fascinating story of Bath Assembly Rooms, from their glittering eighteenth-century heyday as a venue which hosted Jane Austen, through the many challenges they have faced across the centuries. In preparation our curators have conducted extensive research into the lives of Georgians in Bath from all walks of life, uncovering stories to be shared. Join them as they unveil the changing fortunes of the building, shedding light on the fascinating group of people who first funded its construction, and go on to explore how the Rooms have survived fire and war, as well as shifting fashions to remain one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks. And then what about its twenty-first century future? This talk will provide the ‘inside track’ on the current project to restore the building.

Tatjana LeBoff is a Project Curator for the Bath Assembly Rooms (National Trust), having previously worked for the National Trust at Petworth House, as well as holding contemporary curatorial positions at the Barbican, London, and Pembroke College, Oxford. Having received a BA in History of Art and an MA in Architectural History from UCL she has developed her curatorial skills through research and hands-on experiences. Her interests lie in the interplay between art, design, fashion, architecture, society, food, and the lived environment, exploring how social and individual identities are constructed, conveyed, and reformed. With a focus on how complex concepts can be communicated to a wide audience through curation, dynamic displays, diverse narratives, participatory activity and multidisciplinary collaboration, the experiential and emotive value of art and heritage is paramount to her curatorial practice. She holds expertise in the social history of the long eighteenth-century, alongside that of curating contemporary and site-specific art. She seeks to combine these two areas of experience to create new ways of sharing history with a wider public. Additionally, she is a co-editor on the publication Bath and Beyond: The Social and Cultural World of the Georgian Assembly Room, published by Routledge as part of their Studies in Eighteenth-Century Cultures and Societies series in 2025.
Emily Roy is Project Curator for the National Trust at Bath Assembly Rooms, working on the restoration and presentation of the Rooms and the creation of a new visitor experience, to open in 2027. Her research includes how health, wellness and disability in Georgian Bath intersected with leisure and entertainment. Emily is leading on the historical basis of the narrative content within the experience and the creation of new displays of historic objects, including loans from other National Trust properties, local Bath collections and UK museums. Before this role, Emily was Project Curator for Applied Arts at Bristol Museums, working with collections including textiles, metalwork, ceramics and glass. She completed her PhD in 2022, which was a Collaborative Doctoral Award between the University of Cambridge and the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. Her thesis titled ‘City of Stone: The Materiality of St Petersburg in Print, c.1703-1830’ explored print culture and urban development in long-18th-century Russia. Before beginning her PhD, Emily was Curator at Waddesdon Manor (National Trust, Rothschild Collections), with a special focus on furniture and decorative arts. She has also completed research and cataloguing projects at the Ashmolean Museum and British Library.
Tickets: Free for members and non-members, registration is required

Zoom Rental | Bath Assembly Rooms
2026-03-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States

NYC | Alice: An Extraordinary Princess
2026-03-11 18:15 - 20:00 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Despite being Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was a little-known member of the British royal family who is often falsely portrayed in film and television. She lived a tumultuous life filled with tragedy but also hallmarked by charity work and incredible acts of bravery. Born congenitally deaf at Windsor Castle in 1885, a birth witnessed by her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, she married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903. From then on, her life was overshadowed by wars, revolutions, and periods of exile. She suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and transferred in 1930—against her will—to a sanatorium in Switzerland. Noted biographer Hugo Vickers will explore the Princess’s remarkable life and describe how she overcame seemingly unsurmountable difficulties devoting herself to charity work and helping the poor. Mr. Vickers will talk about her royal beginnings and her married and family life; explain about her hospitalization and escape; and detail her move to Athens in 1938. He will describe her charity work before and during World War II—including hiding a Jewish family at her home at great personal risk—and her foundation of the “Christian Brotherhood of Martha and Mary.” Finally, he will illustrate her 1967 move to live with her son and his family at Buckingham Palace and discuss how her incredible philanthropic work led posthumous honors in Britain and Israel—where she is buried at the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. Join Royal Oak as we learn about a remarkable member of the Royal family whose life was as tumultuous and extraordinary as the times in which she lived.
Hugo Vickers is well known as a biographer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. He has covered events from the first wedding of the Prince of Wales and other royal weddings; the funerals of the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, the State Funeral and Committal of The Queen; and the Coronation of Charles III. The Financial Times recently described him as ‘the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet.’ He has written many biographies of 20th-century figures, including Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Andrew of Greece, and the Queen Mother. In 2022, he published a book with HRH The Duke of Kent, entitled A Royal Life. In 2024, Mr. Vickers published a novel – Pining in Paradise – and his biography of Clarissa, Countess of Avon (widow of PM Anthony Eden). When not writing, he travels through the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories, establishing Commonwealth Walkways. Mr. Vickers is a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire and Captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He has given too many lectures in too many places to keep track.
Wednesday, March 11| 6:15 p.m. (ET) Wine and Cheese Reception Following the Lecture
The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, NYC (Bet. 5th and 6th)
In-Person:
$35 Members*; $45 Non-Members and Guests
*discount applied automatically when logged into your account

Alexandria, VA | Alice: An Extraordinary Princess
2026-03-12 18:15 - 20:00 | Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, 201 S Washington St, Alexandria, 22314, United States
Despite being Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was a little-known member of the British royal family who is often falsely portrayed in film and television. She lived a tumultuous life filled with tragedy but also hallmarked by charity work and incredible acts of bravery. Born congenitally deaf at Windsor Castle in 1885, a birth witnessed by her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, she married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903. From then on, her life was overshadowed by wars, revolutions, and periods of exile. She suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and transferred in 1930—against her will—to a sanatorium in Switzerland. Noted biographer Hugo Vickers will explore the Princess’s remarkable life and describe how she overcame seemingly unsurmountable difficulties devoting herself to charity work and helping the poor. Mr. Vickers will talk about her royal beginnings and her married and family life; explain about her hospitalization and escape; and detail her move to Athens in 1938. He will describe her charity work before and during World War II—including hiding a Jewish family at her home at great personal risk—and her foundation of the “Christian Brotherhood of Martha and Mary.” Finally, he will illustrate her 1967 move to live with her son and his family at Buckingham Palace and discuss how her incredible philanthropic work led posthumous honors in Britain and Israel—where she is buried at the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. Join Royal Oak as we learn about a remarkable member of the Royal family whose life was as tumultuous and extraordinary as the times in which she lived.
Hugo Vickers is well known as a biographer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. He has covered events from the first wedding of the Prince of Wales and other royal weddings; the funerals of the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, the State Funeral and Committal of The Queen; and the Coronation of Charles III. The Financial Times recently described him as ‘the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet.’ He has written many biographies of 20th-century figures, including Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Andrew of Greece, and the Queen Mother. In 2022, he published a book with HRH The Duke of Kent, entitled A Royal Life. In 2024, Mr. Vickers published a novel – Pining in Paradise – and his biography of Clarissa, Countess of Avon (widow of PM Anthony Eden). When not writing, he travels through the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories, establishing Commonwealth Walkways. Mr. Vickers is a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire and Captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He has given too many lectures in too many places to keep track.
Thursday, March 12 | 6:15 p.m. (ET)
Wine Reception Preceding the Lecture at 6:15 p.m.; Lecture beings at 6:45 p.m.
Location: Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia
In-Person:
$35 Members*; $45 Non-Members and Guests
*discount applied automatically when logged into your account

Atlanta, GA | Alice: An Extraordinary Princess
2026-03-19 18:15 - 20:00 | Spalding Nix Fine Art, 425 Peachtree Hills Ave Ste 30A, Atlanta, GA, 30305, United States
Despite being Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was a little-known member of the British royal family who is often falsely portrayed in film and television. She lived a tumultuous life filled with tragedy but also hallmarked by charity work and incredible acts of bravery. Born congenitally deaf at Windsor Castle in 1885, a birth witnessed by her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, she married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903. From then on, her life was overshadowed by wars, revolutions, and periods of exile. She suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and transferred in 1930—against her will—to a sanatorium in Switzerland. Noted biographer Hugo Vickers will explore the Princess’s remarkable life and describe how she overcame seemingly unsurmountable difficulties devoting herself to charity work and helping the poor. Mr. Vickers will talk about her royal beginnings and her married and family life; explain about her hospitalization and escape; and detail her move to Athens in 1938. He will describe her charity work before and during World War II—including hiding a Jewish family at her home at great personal risk—and her foundation of the “Christian Brotherhood of Martha and Mary.” Finally, he will illustrate her 1967 move to live with her son and his family at Buckingham Palace and discuss how her incredible philanthropic work led posthumous honors in Britain and Israel—where she is buried at the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. Join Royal Oak as we learn about a remarkable member of the Royal family whose life was as tumultuous and extraordinary as the times in which she lived.
Hugo Vickers is well known as a biographer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. He has covered events from the first wedding of the Prince of Wales and other royal weddings; the funerals of the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, the State Funeral and Committal of The Queen; and the Coronation of Charles III. The Financial Times recently described him as ‘the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet.’ He has written many biographies of 20th-century figures, including Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Andrew of Greece, and the Queen Mother. In 2022, he published a book with HRH The Duke of Kent, entitled A Royal Life. In 2024, Mr. Vickers published a novel – Pining in Paradise – and his biography of Clarissa, Countess of Avon (widow of PM Anthony Eden). When not writing, he travels through the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories, establishing Commonwealth Walkways. Mr. Vickers is a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire and Captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He has given too many lectures in too many places to keep track.
Thursday, March 19 | 6:15 p.m. (ET)
Lecture beings at 6:15 p.m.; Wine reception following lecture
Location: Spalding Nix Fine Art
425 Peachtree Hills Ave Ste 30A, Atlanta GA 30305
In-Person:
$35 Members*; $45 Non-Members and Guests
*discount applied automatically when logged into your account

Zoom Rental | Alice: An Extraordinary Princess
2026-03-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Despite being Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was a little-known member of the British royal family who is often falsely portrayed in film and television. She lived a tumultuous life filled with tragedy but also hallmarked by charity work and incredible acts of bravery. Born congenitally deaf at Windsor Castle in 1885, a birth witnessed by her great-grandmother Queen Victoria, she married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903. From then on, her life was overshadowed by wars, revolutions, and periods of exile. She suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and transferred in 1930—against her will—to a sanatorium in Switzerland. Noted biographer Hugo Vickers will explore the Princess’s remarkable life and describe how she overcame seemingly unsurmountable difficulties devoting herself to charity work and helping the poor. Mr. Vickers will talk about her royal beginnings and her married and family life; explain about her hospitalization and escape; and detail her move to Athens in 1938. He will describe her charity work before and during World War II—including hiding a Jewish family at her home at great personal risk—and her foundation of the “Christian Brotherhood of Martha and Mary.” Finally, he will illustrate her 1967 move to live with her son and his family at Buckingham Palace and discuss how her incredible philanthropic work led posthumous honors in Britain and Israel—where she is buried at the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. Join Royal Oak as we learn about a remarkable member of the Royal family whose life was as tumultuous and extraordinary as the times in which she lived.
Hugo Vickers is well known as a biographer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. He has covered events from the first wedding of the Prince of Wales and other royal weddings; the funerals of the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, the State Funeral and Committal of The Queen; and the Coronation of Charles III. The Financial Times recently described him as ‘the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet.’ He has written many biographies of 20th-century figures, including Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Andrew of Greece, and the Queen Mother. In 2022, he published a book with HRH The Duke of Kent, entitled A Royal Life. In 2024, Mr. Vickers published a novel – Pining in Paradise – and his biography of Clarissa, Countess of Avon (widow of PM Anthony Eden). When not writing, he travels through the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories, establishing Commonwealth Walkways. Mr. Vickers is a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire and Captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He has given too many lectures in too many places to keep track.
Zoom Rental
Available Thursday, March 20 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out March 20 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$20 members*; $30 non-members and guests
*discount applied automatically when logged into account

NYC | Beautifully British Interiors
2026-03-25 18:15 - 20:00 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
When people picture English country house interiors, they often imagine warm, inviting rooms where no detail is too small: spaces that layer antiques and heirlooms with functional family pieces; soft furnishings in colorful florals and damasks textiles; restored mouldings and traditional materials; all complemented by a thoughtful touch of contemporary art. Sims Hilditch creates interiors that epitomize the English country house look for today, while placing equal emphasis on the functional purpose of every space.
Founder and designer Emma Sims-Hilditch will present a selection of her firm’s recent projects, which breathe new life into the classic English style. From a Victorian townhouse in London to an eighteenth-century country house, a Jacobean manor, and an apartment in London’s Old War Office, her work demonstrates how new materials and technologies can be seamlessly combined with traditional decorative elements. The result is an accessible, comfortable style for modern living that remains quintessentially British.
Her latest book, Sims Hilditch: Beautifully British Interiors (Rizzoli, 2025), on which this lecture is based, was named House Beautiful’s Best New Design Book of 2025.
To Purchase the Book ahead of time Visit the Rizzoli Website.
IN-PERSON
Wednesday, March 25 | 6:15 p.m. ET
There will be a wine and cheese reception and book signing following the lecture. A limited number of books will be for sale at the event.
The General Society Library, 20 W 44th Street, New York NY 10036
$35 members or with code; $45 non-members

Zoom Rental | Beautifully British Interiors
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
When people picture English country house interiors, they often imagine warm, inviting rooms where no detail is too small: spaces that layer antiques and heirlooms with functional family pieces; soft furnishings in colorful florals and damasks textiles; restored mouldings and traditional materials; all complemented by a thoughtful touch of contemporary art. Sims Hilditch creates interiors that epitomize the English country house look for today, while placing equal emphasis on the functional purpose of every space.
Founder and designer Emma Sims-Hilditch will present a selection of her firm’s recent projects, which breathe new life into the classic English style. From a Victorian townhouse in London to an eighteenth-century country house, a Jacobean manor, and an apartment in London’s Old War Office, her work demonstrates how new materials and technologies can be seamlessly combined with traditional decorative elements. The result is an accessible, comfortable style for modern living that remains quintessentially British.
Her latest book, Sims Hilditch: Beautifully British Interiors (Rizzoli, 2025), on which this lecture is based, was named House Beautiful’s Best New Design Book of 2025.
To Purchase the Book Visit the Rizzoli Website.

Zoom Rental
Available Thursday, March 26 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out March 26 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$20 members or with code; $30 non-members and guests

Charleston | Malice in Wonderland: Hugo Vickers on Cecil Beaton
2026-03-31 17:30 - 19:30 | Charleston Library Society, 164 King St, Charleston, SC, 29401, United States
Visiting from the UK, author and renowned speaker Hugo Vickers brings us Malice in Wonderland, an investigation into the whirlwind life of the photographer, diarist, painter, interiors and costume designer that was Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton. Cecil Beaton invited Hugo Vickers to be his authorized biographer only days before his unexpected passing. Undeterred, Vickers used diaries, letters, and precious friendships and connections in Beaton’s circle to compose, in paper, the story of this life well-lived. For five years, Vickers travelled the world and talked to some of the most fascinating and important social and cultural figures of the time, including royalty such as the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, Lady Diana Cooper, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Truman Capote, Irving Penn and Diana Vreeland. As part of our ongoing partnership with The Royal Oaks Foundation, we look forward to this special reflection and a personal exploration of the a legacy of a man enveloped by a disappearing era of glamour.
If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to purchase one or more copies, please visit Buxton Books.
Hugo Vickers is well known as a biographer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. He has covered events from the first wedding of the Prince of Wales and other royal weddings; the funerals of the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, the State Funeral and Committal of The Queen; and the Coronation of Charles III. The Financial Times recently described him as ‘the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet.’ He has written many biographies of 20th-century figures, including Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Andrew of Greece, and the Queen Mother. In 2022, he published a book with HRH The Duke of Kent, entitled A Royal Life. In 2024, Mr. Vickers published a novel – Pining in Paradise – and his biography of Clarissa, Countess of Avon (widow of PM Anthony Eden). When not writing, he travels through the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories, establishing Commonwealth Walkways. Mr. Vickers is a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire and Captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He has given too many lectures in too many places to keep track.
Tuesday, March 31 | 6:00 p.m. (ET)
Lecture is preceded by 5:30 p.m. reception
Location: Charleston Library Society, 164 King Street, Charleston
Lecture, Reception, & Book-signing:
$25 Members; $35 Non-Members and guests
Click here to register with the Charleston Library Society or go to:
https://charlestonlibrarysociety.org/event/malice-in-wonderland-hugo-vickers-on-cecil-beaton/

You may also call the Charleston Library Society at 843-723-9912 to register!
Since its founding in the Charleston Library Society has continued to strengthen the intellectual and cultural fabric of the Lowcountry as a private lending library and comfortable gathering spot for reading, exploration of treasured collections, scholarly research and lively programs on literature, history, world affairs, and music. After 275 years, the Charleston Library Society remains the oldest cultural institution in the South and second-oldest circulating library in the country.

Zoom | East Sussex Uncovered
2026-04-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Discover the history, dramatic landscapes, and architectural treasures of East Sussex. On this digital tour, Stephen Benton, will take us through the rolling South Downs countryside to windswept coastal cliffs and National Trust properties that define this captivating county. Step inside some of East Sussex’s historic homes, three of which have literary connections. We will visit Bateman’s, the Jacobean house that was once Rudyard Kipling’s beloved retreat; explore Lamb House in Rye, home to writers Henry James and E.F. Benson; and venture to Monk House, Virginia Woolf’s country cottage. Discover the atmospheric ruins of Bodiam Castle, surrounded by its classic moat, and the beautiful Sheffield Park and Garden. Also, we will see The Old Clergy House in Alfriston, the very first building that the National Trust saved.
Zoom Live
Wednesday, April 8 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$30 members; $40 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | East Sussex Uncovered
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Discover the history, dramatic landscapes, and architectural treasures of East Sussex. On this digital tour, Stephen Benton, will take us through the rolling South Downs countryside to windswept coastal cliffs and National Trust properties that define this captivating county. Step inside some of East Sussex’s historic homes, three of which have literary connections. We will visit Bateman’s, the Jacobean house that was once Rudyard Kipling’s beloved retreat; explore Lamb House in Rye, home to writers Henry James and E.F. Benson; and venture to Monk House, Virginia Woolf’s country cottage. Discover the atmospheric ruins of Bodiam Castle, surrounded by its classic moat, and the beautiful Sheffield Park and Garden. Also, we will see The Old Clergy House in Alfriston, the very first building that the National Trust saved.
Zoom Rental
Available Thursday, April 9 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out April 9 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$30 members; $40 non-members and guests

Zoom | The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting
2026-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Explore the extravagant world of Georgian dining, where feasting was a display of wealth, status, and indulgence. Dining rooms in grand estates like Holkham Hall, Hardwick Hall, and Blenheim Palace became social stages, where guests were expected to eat and drink to the point of excess. Dr. Amy Boyington will take us through the wild and sometimes bizarre dishes of the time. She’ll also touch on the strange “miracle cures” for overindulgence—such as medicinal brandies and hangover remedies—reflecting the era’s complicated relationship with food and health. This talk will reveal how these meals were not just about food, but about spectacle and rivalry—blurring the lines between indulgence, decadence, and scandal.
Dr. Amy Boyington, is a social and architectural historian who has a PhD in architectural history from the University of Cambridge. Dr. Boyington has worked at Holkham Hall, Goodwood House and Woburn Abbey. She worked as a research consultant for the National Trust at Stowe Landscape Gardens, and for Historic Royal Palaces at Kensington Palace. Her debut book is Hidden Patrons: Women and Architectural Patronage in Georgian Britain (Bloomsbury, 2023). Her most recent book is The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting (Yale University Press).
Zoom
Thursday, April 9| 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting
2026-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Explore the extravagant world of Georgian dining, where feasting was a display of wealth, status, and indulgence. Dining rooms in grand estates like Holkham Hall, Hardwick Hall, and Blenheim Palace became social stages, where guests were expected to eat and drink to the point of excess. Dr. Amy Boyington will take us through the wild and sometimes bizarre dishes of the time. She’ll also touch on the strange “miracle cures” for overindulgence—such as medicinal brandies and hangover remedies—reflecting the era’s complicated relationship with food and health. This talk will reveal how these meals were not just about food, but about spectacle and rivalry—blurring the lines between indulgence, decadence, and scandal.
Dr. Amy Boyington, is a social and architectural historian who has a PhD in architectural history from the University of Cambridge. Dr. Boyington has worked at Holkham Hall, Goodwood House and Woburn Abbey. She worked as a research consultant for the National Trust at Stowe Landscape Gardens, and for Historic Royal Palaces at Kensington Palace. Her debut book is Hidden Patrons: Women and Architectural Patronage in Georgian Britain (Bloomsbury, 2023). Her most recent book is The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting (Yale University Press).

Zoom Rental
Available Friday, April 10 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out April 10 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom | “The Old Curiosity” of a Lost London Neighborhood
2026-04-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Step into the vanished world of London’s last West End slum, once hidden in the maze of streets just northeast of the Strand and Aldwych. Today, little remains to hint at the area’s notorious past. This was a district of sharp contrasts — a centre of prostitution, lined with Victorian pornographic bookshops and brothels, yet also home to some prestigious theatres and a vibrant street market. The area drew eccentric characters, colourful traders, and curious visitors, and preserved pockets of rare architecture dating back to the 16th century. Using old maps, historic images, literary extracts (from Dickens, Pope) and the few surviving traces still visible, Richard Watkins will guide us on a virtual journey into a neighborhood now swept away by redevelopment.
Zoom Live
Tuesday, April 14 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$35 members; $45 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | “The Old Curiosity” of a Lost London Neighborhood
2026-04-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Step into the vanished world of London’s last West End slum, once hidden in the maze of streets just northeast of the Strand and Aldwych. Today, little remains to hint at the area’s notorious past. This was a district of sharp contrasts — a centre of prostitution, lined with Victorian pornographic bookshops and brothels, yet also home to some prestigious theatres and a vibrant street market. The area drew eccentric characters, colourful traders, and curious visitors, and preserved pockets of rare architecture dating back to the 16th century. Using old maps, historic images, literary extracts (from Dickens, Pope) and the few surviving traces still visible, Richard Watkins will guide us on a virtual journey into a neighborhood now swept away by redevelopment.
Zoom Rental
Available Wednesday, April 15 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out April 15 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$35 members; $45 non-members and guests

Zoom | St Martins-in-the-Fields at 300 Years
2026-04-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church is an architectural gem that is positioned on the edge of London’s Trafalgar Square. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of the church. St Martin’s Archivist, Louisa Price who will take us on a virtual tour of this masterpiece and showcase collection objects. She will share stories about the people who have inhabited the parish and talk about the history of this architectural landmark—from the Roman period, to the 13th century, and finally to the construction in 1726 of the present building. Ms. Price will explore the church’s prestigious musical history and document the parish’s commitment to social justice. Reverend Dick Sheppard (vicar from 1914 to 1927) first affirmed St Martin’s commitment to be ‘The Church of the Ever Open Door’ by welcoming in WW1 soldiers and using the church’s resources to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Louisa Price is the Archivist at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. She has worked in a variety of Museums in New Zealand and England, caring for social history collections ranging from medals and aeroplane engines, to tennis racquets and teacups. For eight years she was curator of the Charles Dickens Museum in London and is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees for Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire.
Zoom Live
Wednesday, April 15 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | St Martins-in-the-Fields at 300 Years
2026-04-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church is an architectural gem that is positioned on the edge of London’s Trafalgar Square. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of the church. St Martin’s Archivist, Louisa Price who will take us on a virtual tour of this masterpiece and showcase collection objects. She will share stories about the people who have inhabited the parish and talk about the history of this architectural landmark—from the Roman period, to the 13th century, and finally to the construction in 1726 of the present building. Ms. Price will explore the church’s prestigious musical history and document the parish’s commitment to social justice. Reverend Dick Sheppard (vicar from 1914 to 1927) first affirmed St Martin’s commitment to be ‘The Church of the Ever Open Door’ by welcoming in WW1 soldiers and using the church’s resources to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Louisa Price is the Archivist at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. She has worked in a variety of Museums in New Zealand and England, caring for social history collections ranging from medals and aeroplane engines, to tennis racquets and teacups. For eight years she was curator of the Charles Dickens Museum in London and is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees for Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire.
Zoom Rental
Available Thursday, April 16 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out April 16 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom | Beyond 10 Downing Street: Prime Ministers’ Private Quarters
2026-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Where did Prime Ministers call home before they stepped through that famous black door at no. 10? Rob Smith will help us explore the homes of 12 British Prime Ministers, uncovering the private addresses behind the public power. We will consider towering figures such as Winston Churchill, William Gladstone, and Benjamin Disraeli, and leaders
who may have left a lighter mark on British history, but led fascinating private lives. Each virtual stop reveals a different side of political life, as we stroll the elegant streets of Mayfair and St. James’. We will explore the political dramas of Georgian and Victorian Britain. Along the way are tales of intrigue, ambition, and political miscalculation—leaving us wondering whether history repeats itself.
Zoom Live
Tuesday, April 21 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$30 members; $40 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | Beyond 10 Downing Street: Prime Ministers’ Private Quarters
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Where did Prime Ministers call home before they stepped through that famous black door at no. 10? Rob Smith will help us explore the homes of 12 British Prime Ministers, uncovering the private addresses behind the public power. We will consider towering figures such as Winston Churchill, William Gladstone, and Benjamin Disraeli, and leaders
who may have left a lighter mark on British history, but led fascinating private lives. Each virtual stop reveals a different side of political life, as we stroll the elegant streets of Mayfair and St. James’. We will explore the political dramas of Georgian and Victorian Britain. Along the way are tales of intrigue, ambition, and political miscalculation—leaving us wondering whether history repeats itself.
Zoom Rental
Available Wednesday, April 22 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out April 22 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$30 members; $40 non-members and guests

Zoom | The Polite Tourist
2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
For more than five centuries, English country houses have opened their doors to curious guests. The practice gained particular momentum in the late 16th century as a new social class was emerging—house owners who had stronger links with business than the landed gentry. Aristocrats would visit other building projects with their architects—such as the Dowager Countess of Shrewsbury who visited sites during the early building of Hardwick Hall. As centuries progressed, more country houses were fashioned to advertise their owner’s wealth and status. This desire to impress presupposes an audience who will visit a historic house for curiosity value rather than to conduct business. From the Elizabethans who strolled around palaces; to the Georgians who appreciated the classical proportions of Kedleston Hall while admiring treasures brought back from the Grand Tour; visiting country houses has always been popular. Historian and author Adrian Tinniswood OBE will take us on an illustrated tour around some of England’s historic houses. We will hear tales of the polite tourists who came to call, as well as the impolite visitors who may have snuck onto the estate. Finally, he will explain how country house “snooping” helped support the development of English national preservation.
Adrian Tinniswood OBE studied English and Philosophy at Southampton University and was awarded an MPhil at Leicester University. He has acted as a consultant to the National Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund. He is currently Senior Research Fellow in History at the University of Buckingham and Visiting Fellow in Heritage and History at Bath Spa University. He is the author of 16 books on architectural and social history including The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House Between the Wars; Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the Royal Household and Noble Ambition: The Rise and Fall of the English Country House—his most recent publication is The Houses of Guinness (2025). Tinniswood was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours.
Zoom Live
Wednesday, April 22 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | The Polite Tourist
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
For more than five centuries, English country houses have opened their doors to curious guests. The practice gained particular momentum in the late 16th century as a new social class was emerging—house owners who had stronger links with business than the landed gentry. Aristocrats would visit other building projects with their architects—such as the Dowager Countess of Shrewsbury who visited sites during the early building of Hardwick Hall. As centuries progressed, more country houses were fashioned to advertise their owner’s wealth and status. This desire to impress presupposes an audience who will visit a historic house for curiosity value rather than to conduct business. From the Elizabethans who strolled around palaces; to the Georgians who appreciated the classical proportions of Kedleston Hall while admiring treasures brought back from the Grand Tour; visiting country houses has always been popular. Historian and author Adrian Tinniswood OBE will take us on an illustrated tour around some of England’s historic houses. We will hear tales of the polite tourists who came to call, as well as the impolite visitors who may have snuck onto the estate. Finally, he will explain how country house “snooping” helped support the development of English national preservation.
Adrian Tinniswood OBE studied English and Philosophy at Southampton University and was awarded an MPhil at Leicester University. He has acted as a consultant to the National Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund. He is currently Senior Research Fellow in History at the University of Buckingham and Visiting Fellow in Heritage and History at Bath Spa University. He is the author of 16 books on architectural and social history including The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House Between the Wars; Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the Royal Household and Noble Ambition: The Rise and Fall of the English Country House—his most recent publication is The Houses of Guinness (2025). Tinniswood was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours.
Zoom Rental
Available Thursday, April 23 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out April 23 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$20 members; $30 non-members and guests

Zoom | Writing the Garden: Authors and Artists Reflections
2026-05-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
Throughout history, gardeners have been compelled to put pen to paper to capture the beauty, record seasonal changes, and ponder about their beloved plots. Claire Masset’s new book, Garden Voices: A Year of Gardeners’ Writing brings together these musings – drawn from diaries, letters and articles – in an engaging anthology organized around the calendar year. Her lecture will highlight both world famous gardeners and lesser-known – though no less inspiring – garden writers. She will present writings from artists Claude Monet and Vanessa Bell, and poets Celia Thaxter and Derek Jarman. She will discuss their horticultural philosophy as recorded through their words and reflections. Using
paintings and photographs, she also will provide a glimpse into thoughts of some of the world’s most creative artists, revealing their gardens to be sources of both artistic and personal expression.
Claire Masset has degrees in art and architectural history from St. Andrews and Oxford. She is the publisher for the National Trust in charge of gardening books. Her journalism has appeared in Country Life, BBC Homes & Antiques, Historic Gardens Review, Gardens Illustrated, Art Quarterly, and The English Garden magazine. Her books include the bestselling Secret Gardens of the National Trust, and Cottage Gardens. She recently won the Roger Deakin Award from the Society of Authors.
Zoom Live
Monday, May 18 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | Writing the Garden: Authors and Artists Reflections
2026-05-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Throughout history, gardeners have been compelled to put pen to paper to capture the beauty, record seasonal changes, and ponder about their beloved plots. Claire Masset’s new book, Garden Voices: A Year of Gardeners’ Writing brings together these musings – drawn from diaries, letters and articles – in an engaging anthology organized around the calendar year. Her lecture will highlight both world famous gardeners and lesser-known – though no less inspiring – garden writers. She will present writings from artists Claude Monet and Vanessa Bell, and poets Celia Thaxter and Derek Jarman. She will discuss their horticultural philosophy as recorded through their words and reflections. Using paintings and photographs, she also will provide a glimpse into thoughts of some of the world’s most creative artists, revealing their gardens to be sources of both artistic and personal expression.
Claire Masset has degrees in art and architectural history from St. Andrews and Oxford. She is the publisher for the National Trust in charge of gardening books. Her journalism has appeared in Country Life, BBC Homes & Antiques, Historic Gardens Review, Gardens Illustrated, Art Quarterly, and The English Garden magazine. Her books include the bestselling Secret Gardens of the National Trust, and Cottage Gardens. She recently won the Roger Deakin Award from the Society of Authors.
Zoom Rental
Available Tuesday, May 19 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 19 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom | Historic London Markets
2026-05-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Zoom Webinar, Virtual, United States
London is home to some of the world’s most famous markets – from the historic Smithfield and Spitalfields markets to the vibrant Covent Garden. For centuries, these bustling trading hubs have kept the city fed, supplied, and thriving. Rob Smith will guide us through the rich history of London’s markets. Discover how feeding the capital has been a constant challenge since Roman times, and how markets have played a vital role in the city’s growth and daily life. We will explore sites trading from their original locations, those that have found new homes, and even places that have vanished altogether, including the once-renowned Hungerford Market. Packed with history, colour, and surprising stories, this digital tour brings the heritage of London’s markets to life.
Zoom Live
Wednesday, May 20 | 5:00 p.m. (ET)
$30 members; $40 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | Historic London Markets
2026-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
London is home to some of the world’s most famous markets – from the historic Smithfield and Spitalfields markets to the vibrant Covent Garden. For centuries, these bustling trading hubs have kept the city fed, supplied, and thriving. Rob Smith will guide us through the rich history of London’s markets. Discover how feeding the capital has been a constant challenge since Roman times, and how markets have played a vital role in the city’s growth and daily life. We will explore sites trading from their original locations, those that have found new homes, and even places that have vanished altogether, including the once-renowned Hungerford Market. Packed with history, colour, and surprising stories, this digital tour brings the heritage of London’s markets to life.
Zoom Rental
Available Thursday, May 21 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 21 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$30 members; $40 non-members and guests

NYC | Secrets and Codes in Fashion
2026-05-21 18:15 - 20:00 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Textiles are more than a form of decorative art—they have a silent tool of rebellion, storytelling, and resilience. Eleri Lynn, Curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces will reveal stories about these hidden histories stitched into fabric. She will explain how needlework has served as a powerful act of resistance and illustrate some extraordinary examples from the Royal School of Needlework. She will examine the cultural history behind these textiles, talk about the individuals responsible, and also discuss how textiles became a form of self-expression for marginalized women.
Eleri Lynn is a fashion and textiles historian, curator, and author. She worked in the Textiles and Fashion Department of the V&A Museum before becoming Curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces and Head of Exhibitions at National Museum Wales. She is a Trustee of the Royal School of Needlework. She appears frequently on TV, most recently featuring in the BBC2 ‘Art That Made Us’ series and BBC1’s ‘Elizabeth: Fashioning a Monarch’. She is the author of several books which include Tudor Textiles (Yale University Press, 2020). She has curated several major fashion and textiles exhibitions including The Lost Dress of Elizabeth I (Hampton Court Palace, 2019), and Crown to Couture (Kensington Palace, 2023).
IN-PERSON
Thursday, May 21 | 6:15 p.m. ET; reception following lecture
The General Society Library, 20 W 44th Street, New York NY 10036
$35 members; $45 non-members

Zoom Rental | Secrets and Codes in Fashion
2026-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Recording, Virtual, New York, NY, 10036, United States
Textiles are more than a form of decorative art—they have a silent tool of rebellion, storytelling, and resilience. Eleri Lynn, Curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces will reveal stories about these hidden histories stitched into fabric. She will explain how needlework has served as a powerful act of resistance and illustrate some extraordinary examples from the Royal School of Needlework. She will examine the cultural history behind these textiles, talk about the individuals responsible, and also discuss how textiles became a form of self-expression for marginalized women.
Eleri Lynn is a fashion and textiles historian, curator, and author. She worked in the Textiles and Fashion Department of the V&A Museum before becoming Curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces and Head of Exhibitions at National Museum Wales. She is a Trustee of the Royal School of Needlework. She appears frequently on TV, most recently featuring in the BBC2 ‘Art That Made Us’ series and BBC1’s ‘Elizabeth: Fashioning a Monarch’. She is the author of several books
which include Tudor Textiles (Yale University Press, 2020). She has curated several major fashion and textiles exhibitions including The Lost Dress of Elizabeth I (Hampton Court Palace, 2019), and Crown to Couture (Kensington Palace, 2023).
Zoom Rental
Available Friday, May 22 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 22 by 12:00 p.m. (ET)
$20 members; $30 non-members and guests

NYC | Patter, Pirates, and Paradox: The World of Gilbert & Sullivan
2026-05-28 18:15 - 20:00 | The General Society Library, 20 W. 44th Street, New York City, 10036, United States
Long before Rodgers & Hammerstein, Ahrens & Flaherty, or Webber & Rice, W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan forged a groundbreaking partnership that helped shape the foundation of modern musical theatre. Together, they created 14 Savoy operas—among them H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, and The Gondoliers—that captivated audiences in Britain and America. With razor-sharp wit, topsy-turvy humor, and memorably lyrical scores, their works lampooned Victorian society, politics, class, and convention, establishing comic opera as a cornerstone of British popular culture. Mr. Kenrick will examine the genius of the Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration. He will explore how
their innovation, theatrical craft, and uniquely British sensibility anticipated the integrated musical long before the term existed. More than a century later, their operas continue to delight worldwide audiences as legacy continues to resonate across the stages of the West End and Broadway.
John Kenrick is a theatre historian, author, and educator specializing in the history of musical theatre and film. He is the author of the textbook Musical Theatre: A History and has taught courses including History of Musical Theatre; Great Broadway Songwriters; and Rodgers & Hammerstein at New York University’s Steinhardt School, The New School, Marymount Manhattan College, and the University of the Arts, Philadelphia. A frequent speaker and media commentator, Mr. Kenrick has lectured at many universities and cultural institutions.

IN-PERSON
Thursday, May 28 | 6:15 p.m. ET; reception following lecture
The General Society Library, 20 W 44th Street, New York NY 10036
$35 members; $45 non-members
