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APR27
schools

Zoom | The Last Princesses of Punjab

9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Princesses Bamba Sutherland (center), Catherine Hilda Duleep Singh (left) and Sophia Duleep Singh (right) in debutante dress, 1895. ©Peter Bance Collection This is the story of a family of extraordinary women—a warrior grandmother, a mother who moved across the world, three sisters, and the Queen who was both friend and conqueror. The Princesses of Punjab—Sophia, Catherine, and Bamba Duleep Singh—were the daughters of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. Their journey begins in India but moves – as they did – across Nepal, Britain, Egypt, Germany and Pakistan. Their lives were shaped by female family members, mother Bamba Miller, Grandmother Jind Kaur, and Godmother Queen Victoria. They lived through defining 20th-century moments. They witnessed the fall of the British Empire in India and Pakistan; campaigned for women’s right to vote; nursed soldiers during WWI; and sheltered refugees. Dr. Mishka Sinha will illustrate objects from these women’s lives as shown in Historic Royal Palaces’ exhibition The Last Princesses of Punjab: Sophia Duleep Singh and the women who shaped her (March 2026). Dr. Sinha will explain how their destinies were shaped by global politics and how each expressed womanhood, power, and royalty in different way. These women’s lives were marked by privilege, but also loss, migration, and conflicting identities. Dr. Mishka Sinha is a cultural and intellectual historian of 18th–20th century global and imperial history. Dr. Sinha has a BA from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, received an MPhil at the University of Oxford, and her PhD at the University of Cambridge. She has taught at many UK and Europea Universities. She has held research fellowships in Berlin; at Cambridge (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship); in Florence (Max Weber); at Oxford; and in Edinburgh. Dr. Sinha has several years of experience working in museums, arts and heritage in India She was co-curator of the exhibition, Untold Lives: A Palace at Work (2024). Zoom Live Mon

APR28
schools

Zoom Rental | The Last Princesses of Punjab

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Princesses Bamba Sutherland (center), Catherine Hilda Duleep Singh (left) and Sophia Duleep Singh (right) in debutante dress, 1895. ©Peter Bance Collection This is the story of a family of extraordinary women—a warrior grandmother, a mother who moved across the world, three sisters, and the Queen who was both friend and conqueror. The Princesses of Punjab—Sophia, Catherine, and Bamba Duleep Singh—were the daughters of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. Their journey begins in India but moves – as they did – across Nepal, Britain, Egypt, Germany and Pakistan. Their lives were shaped by female family members, mother Bamba Miller, Grandmother Jind Kaur, and Godmother Queen Victoria. They lived through defining 20th-century moments. They witnessed the fall of the British Empire in India and Pakistan; campaigned for women’s right to vote; nursed soldiers during WWI; and sheltered refugees. Dr. Mishka Sinha will illustrate objects from these women’s lives as shown in Historic Royal Palaces’ exhibition The Last Princesses of Punjab: Sophia Duleep Singh and the women who shaped her (March 2026). Dr. Sinha will explain how their destinies were shaped by global politics and how each expressed womanhood, power, and royalty in different way. These women’s lives were marked by privilege, but also loss, migration, and conflicting identities. Dr. Mishka Sinha is a cultural and intellectual historian of 18th–20th century global and imperial history. Dr. Sinha has a BA from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, received an MPhil at the University of Oxford, and her PhD at the University of Cambridge. She has taught at many UK and Europea Universities. She has held research fellowships in Berlin; at Cambridge (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship); in Florence (Max Weber); at Oxford; and in Edinburgh. Dr. Sinha has several years of experience working in museums, arts and heritage in India She was co-curator of the exhibition, Untold Lives: A Palace at Work (2024). Zoom Rental A

MAY12
schools

Zoom | Saltram: Rising Family Fortunes and Artistic Transformation

9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

The Saloon, or Great Drawing Room, at Saltram, Devon, designed by Robert Adam in 1768. ©National Trust Images/John Hammond Saltram House in Devon underwent major interior and exterior design changes during the mid-18th century to the early 19th century—transforming the building from a sizable Jacobean house to a fashionable Georgian mansion. Much of these changes were championed by the women of the Parker family: Lady Catherine Parker in the 1740-50s and Lady Theresa Parker after 1769-75. As the family’s aristocratic status and fortune strengthened through strategic marriages, the Parkers used portraiture to promote ideas of family dynasty and to emphasize their rising social status. Zoë Shearman, NT Property Curator at Saltram, will speak about the house’s history from the late middle-ages to the early 19th century and examine the house’s ownership under the Parker family. She will discuss the influence of the family’s artistic relationships (and their London connections) on the house’s interior decoration. She will illustrate the later change to more classically inspired interior decoration, under Robert Adam, as well as the acquisition Saltram’s Grand Tour and Chinese collections. Finally, Ms. Shearman will discuss how the adaptation of Saltram to the Palladian-style, and the formation of the collection, paralleled the rise in the family’s fortune and status. Zoë Shearman is the National Trust Property Curator at Saltram House, Devon. She has significant experience as a curator and consultant with a focus on cultural heritage, contemporary art, and social practice. Previously, she was founder Director/Curator of projects agency Relational; Artistic Co-Director of Spacex Gallery, Exeter; and Director of Visual Arts for Riverside Studios, London. She holds a degree in the History of Art from the University of the Arts, London. She has taught as a number of postgraduate curatorial programs and has worked as a curatorial consultant for Arts Council England, the Arch

MAY13
schools

Zoom Rental | Saltram: Rising Family Fortunes and Artistic Transformation

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

The Saloon, or Great Drawing Room, at Saltram, Devon, designed by Robert Adam in 1768. ©National Trust Images/John Hammond Saltram House in Devon underwent major interior and exterior design changes during the mid-18th century to the early 19th century—transforming the building from a sizable Jacobean house to a fashionable Georgian mansion. Much of these changes were championed by the women of the Parker family: Lady Catherine Parker in the 1740-50s and Lady Theresa Parker after 1769-75. As the family’s aristocratic status and fortune strengthened through strategic marriages, the Parkers used portraiture to promote ideas of family dynasty and to emphasize their rising social status. Zoë Shearman, NT Property Curator at Saltram, will speak about the house’s history from the late middle-ages to the early 19th century and examine the house’s ownership under the Parker family. She will discuss the influence of the family’s artistic relationships (and their London connections) on the house’s interior decoration. She will illustrate the later change to more classically inspired interior decoration, under Robert Adam, as well as the acquisition Saltram’s Grand Tour and Chinese collections. Finally, Ms. Shearman will discuss how the adaptation of Saltram to the Palladian-style, and the formation of the collection, paralleled the rise in the family’s fortune and status. Zoë Shearman is the National Trust Property Curator at Saltram House, Devon. She has significant experience as a curator and consultant with a focus on cultural heritage, contemporary art, and social practice. Previously, she was founder Director/Curator of projects agency Relational; Artistic Co-Director of Spacex Gallery, Exeter; and Director of Visual Arts for Riverside Studios, London. She holds a degree in the History of Art from the University of the Arts, London. She has taught as a number of postgraduate curatorial programs and has worked as a curatorial consultant for Arts Council England, the Arch

MAY14
schools

Zoom | Picturing History: Photographic Works in the National Trust Collection

9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Self-portrait with sister, George Bernard Shaw, 1898. The George Bernard Shaw photographic collection, National Trust. The National Trust in the UK looks after more than 550,000 photographic prints; negatives and transparencies; and photographic works of art, spanning from the 1840s to the present day. Collectively they act as visual diaries, offering glimpses into the way people live and how they viewed the world. One of the inventors of early photography, William Henry Fox Talbot fixed images using chemicals on paper in 1835 at his home at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (NT). In her talk, Anna Sparham will illustrate some of the Trust’s extensive range of photographic holdings and highlight their common themes—from both professional photographers and amateurs. She will explore the history of this innovation and describe its link to NT properties. Finally, Ms. Sparham will look at the contemporary relevance of these works today. Anna Sparham graduated with a photography degree from Nottingham Trent University. She became National Curator for Photography at the National Trust in 2022. She has worked extensively with both historic photographic collections and contemporary practitioners for 25 years. When she was Curator of Photographs at the London Museum, Ms. Sparham developed multiple exhibitions and publications on subjects including women’s suffrage, youth subculture, street photography and London at night. Her latest book, 100 Photographs: From the Collections of the National Trust was published in 2024. Zoom Live Thursday, May 14 | 2:00 p.m. (ET) $15 members; $25 non-members and guests

MAY15
schools

Zoom Rental | Picturing History: Photographic Works in the National Trust Collection

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Self-portrait with sister, George Bernard Shaw, 1898. The George Bernard Shaw photographic collection, National Trust. The National Trust in the UK looks after more than a 550,000 photographic prints; negatives and transparencies; and photographic works of art, spanning from the 1840s to the present day. Collectively they act as visual diaries, offering glimpses into the way people live and how they viewed the world. One of the inventors of early photography, William Henry Fox Talbot fixed images using chemicals on paper in 1835 at his home at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (NT). In her talk, Anna Sparham will illustrate some of the Trust’s extensive range of photographic holdings and highlight their common themes—from both professional photographers and amateurs. She will explore the history of this innovation and describe its link to NT properties. Finally, Ms. Sparham will look at the contemporary relevance of these works today. Anna Sparham graduated with a photography degree from Nottingham Trent University. She became National Curator for Photography at the National Trust in 2022. She has worked extensively with both historic photographic collections and contemporary practitioners for 25 years. When she was Curator of Photographs at the London Museum, Ms. Sparham developed multiple exhibitions and publications on subjects including women’s suffrage, youth subculture, street photography and London at night. Her latest book, 100 Photographs: From the Collections of the National Trust was published in 2024. Zoom Rental Available Wednesday, May 15 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 15 by 12:00 p.m. (ET) $15 members; $25 non-members and guests

MAY18
schools

Zoom | Writing the Garden: Authors and Artists Reflections

9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

The garden in August at Monk’s House, East Sussex 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

MAY19
schools

Zoom Rental | Writing the Garden: Authors and Artists Reflections

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

The garden in August at Monk’s House, East Sussex 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

MAY20
schools

Zoom | Historic London Markets

12:00 PM · Zoom Webinar

Escheape Market 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 Covent Garden Piazza with London Transport Museum, geograph.org.uk 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

MAY21
schools

Zoom Rental | Historic London Markets

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Escheape Market 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’ Covent Garden Piazza with London Transport Museum, geograph.org.uk 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

MAY21
schools

NYC | Secrets and Codes in Fashion

1:15 PM · The General Society Library

Bacton Altar Cloth, Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire 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

MAY22
schools

Zoom Rental | Secrets and Codes in Fashion

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Bacton Altar Cloth, Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire 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

MAY28
schools

NYC | Patter, Pirates, and Paradox: The World of Gilbert & Sullivan

1:15 PM · The General Society Library

Royal Doulton Figurine The Pirate King Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado 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

MAY29
schools

Zoom Rental | Patter, Pirates, and Paradox: The World of Gilbert & Sullivan

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Royal Doulton Figurine The Pirate King Gilbert and Sullivan Mikado 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. Zoom Rental Available Friday, May 29 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 29 by 12:00 p.m. (ET) $20 members; $30 non-members and guests

JUN2
schools

Zoom | Sir John Vanbrugh and the English Country House

9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Fireplace and statues inside the central block at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland. ©National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert The country houses designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are some of the most original and memorable works of architecture in the story of British architecture. Called ‘The Shakespeare of Architects’ by Sir John Soane, Vanbrugh designed evocative and unforgettable palaces including Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace, and his other country houses such as the NT’s Seaton Delaval are also unforgettable. Vanbrugh’s personal life was perhaps even more remarkable than his flamboyant architectural creations. He began his career as a wine merchant and then traveled to India in the service of the East India Company. He served as a marine officer and was later arrested and imprisoned in France on suspicion of being a spy. He was also a celebrity playwright before turning his mind to architecture. In honor of the 300th anniversary of Vanburgh’s death in 1726, architectural historian Jeremy Musson will lecture about Vanbrugh’s life and illustrate and describe the architect’s iconic houses. He will reflect on Vanbrugh’s influence on architects through the 18-and-19th century, and up until the present day. Jeremy Musson is a leading authority on the English country house. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and sits on a number of boards 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. He has written and edited hundreds of articles on historic country houses and has presented 14 programmes on BBC 2. He lectures and supervises academic programs for Cambridge University, London University and Buckingham University, and the Attingham Summer School. Among his books include Robert Adam: Country House Design, Decoration & the Art of Elegance (2017), The Country House: Past, Present, Future: Gre

JUN2
schools

La Jolla | Ciphers, Secrets, and Spies in the Tudor Court

1:00 PM · St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Queen Elizabeth I, by English School. Explore the dark corners of Tudor history as historian Carol Ann Lloyd reveals stories about the spy network tasked to keep England’s monarchy safe. Codes and hidden ciphers asserted one’s legitimacy at court while secret letters plotted to gain the monarch’s favor. During his reign, Henry VIII placed spies inside noble households and expanded England’s espionage networks. By the mid-1550s, numerous plots were hatched to dethrone Elizabeth I and replace her with Catholic Mary Queen of Scots. So, the two queens relied on ciphers and codes to promote their royal legitimacy. William Cecil was the first to organize the gathering of intelligence throughout Europe and was aided by Francis Walsingham, known as the “Spymaster.” National Trust houses that were involved in this period of intrigue include Baddesley Clinton, Coughton Court, and Oxburgh. Ms. Lloyd will describe this tumultuous time and explain how the ability to control information became the most potent tool of the realm, and the only way to survive. Carol Ann Lloyd is a popular speaker who shares the stories of Shakespeare and English history. She is the former Manager of Visitor Education at Folger Shakespeare Library. Her podcast, British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics, explores the lives of famous and infamous historical characters. Her latest book is Courting the Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I and Her Suitors. Carol Ann has presented programs at the Smithsonian, Folger Shakespeare Library, Agecroft Hall, and TEDx, among other venues. IN-PERSON ONLY  Tuesday, June 2 | Lecture at 6:30 p.m. PT; Preceded by reception at 6:00 p.m. PT $35 members; $45 non-members St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church 743 Prospect St, La Jolla CA 92037

JUN3
schools

Zoom Rental | Sir John Vanbrugh and the English Country House

7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Fireplace and statues inside the central block at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland. ©National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert The country houses designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are some of the most original and memorable works of architecture in the story of British architecture. Called ‘The Shakespeare of Architects’ by Sir John Soane, Vanbrugh designed evocative and unforgettable palaces including Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace, and his other country houses such as the NT’s Seaton Delaval are also unforgettable. Vanbrugh’s personal life was perhaps even more remarkable than his flamboyant architectural creations. He began his career as a wine merchant and then traveled to India in the service of the East India Company. He served as a marine officer and was later arrested and imprisoned in France on suspicion of being a spy. He was also a celebrity playwright before turning his mind to architecture. In honor of the 300th anniversary of Vanburgh’s death in 1726, architectural historian Jeremy Musson will lecture about Vanbrugh’s life and illustrate and describe the architect’s iconic houses. He will reflect on Vanbrugh’s influence on architects through the 18-and-19th century, and up until the present day. Jeremy Musson is a leading authority on the English country house. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and sits on a number of boards 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. He has written and edited hundreds of articles on historic country houses and has presented 14 programmes on BBC 2. He lectures and supervises academic programs for Cambridge University, London University and Buckingham University, and the Attingham Summer School. Among his books include Robert Adam: Country House Design, Decoration & the Art of Elegance (2017), The Country House: Past, Present, Future: Gre

JUN4
schools

LA | Ciphers, Secrets, and Spies in the Tudor Court

5:30 AM · The Ebell of Los Angeles

Queen Elizabeth I, by English School. Explore the dark corners of Tudor history as historian Carol Ann Lloyd reveals stories about the spy network tasked to keep England’s monarchy safe. Codes and hidden ciphers asserted one’s legitimacy at court while secret letters plotted to gain the monarch’s favor. During his reign, Henry VIII placed spies inside noble households and expanded England’s espionage networks. By the mid-1550s, numerous plots were hatched to dethrone Elizabeth I and replace her with Catholic Mary Queen of Scots. So, the two queens relied on ciphers and codes to promote their royal legitimacy. William Cecil was the first to organize the gathering of intelligence throughout Europe and was aided by Francis Walsingham, known as the “Spymaster.” National Trust houses that were involved in this period of intrigue include Baddesley Clinton, Coughton Court, and Oxburgh. Ms. Lloyd will describe this tumultuous time and explain how the ability to control information became the most potent tool of the realm, and the only way to survive. Carol Ann Lloyd is a popular speaker who shares the stories of Shakespeare and English history. She is the former Manager of Visitor Education at Folger Shakespeare Library. Her podcast, British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics, explores the lives of famous and infamous historical characters. Her latest book is Courting the Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I and Her Suitors. Carol Ann has presented programs at the Smithsonian, Folger Shakespeare Library, Agecroft Hall, and TEDx, among other venues. IN-PERSON ONLY  Thursday, June 4 | Lecture at 11:00 a.m. PT; Coffee and Tea Reception at 10:30 a.m. PT 741 S Lucerne Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90005 $40 members; $45 non-members

Upcoming Events in Royal Oak

Zoom | The Last Princesses of Punjab

Monday, April 27, 2026 · 9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar

Princesses Bamba Sutherland (center), Catherine Hilda Duleep Singh (left) and Sophia Duleep Singh (right) in debutante dress, 1895. ©Peter Bance Collection This is the story of a family of extraordinary women—a warrior grandmother, a mother who moved across the world, three sisters, and the Queen who was both friend and conqueror. The Princesses of Punjab—Sophia, Catherine, and Bamba Duleep Singh—were the daughters of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. Their journey begins in India but moves – as they did – across Nepal, Britain, Egypt, Germany and Pakistan. Their lives were shaped by female family members, mother Bamba Miller, Grandmother Jind Kaur, and Godmother Queen Victoria. They lived through defining 20th-century moments. They witnessed the fall of the British Empire in India and Pakistan; campaigned for women’s right to vote; nursed soldiers during WWI; and sheltered refugees. Dr. Mishka Sinha will illustrate objects from these women’s lives as shown in Historic Royal Palaces’ exhibition The Last Princesses of Punjab: Sophia Duleep Singh and the women who shaped her (March 2026). Dr. Sinha will explain how their destinies were shaped by global politics and how each expressed womanhood, power, and royalty in different way. These women’s lives were marked by privilege, but also loss, migration, and conflicting identities. Dr. Mishka Sinha is a cultural and intellectual historian of 18th–20th century global and imperial history. Dr. Sinha has a BA from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, received an MPhil at the University of Oxford, and her PhD at the University of Cambridge. She has taught at many UK and Europea Universities. She has held research fellowships in Berlin; at Cambridge (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship); in Florence (Max Weber); at Oxford; and in Edinburgh. Dr. Sinha has several years of experience working in museums, arts and heritage in India She was co-curator of the exhibition, Untold Lives: A Palace at Work (2024). Zoom Live Mon

Zoom Rental | The Last Princesses of Punjab

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 · 7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Zoom Recording

Princesses Bamba Sutherland (center), Catherine Hilda Duleep Singh (left) and Sophia Duleep Singh (right) in debutante dress, 1895. ©Peter Bance Collection This is the story of a family of extraordinary women—a warrior grandmother, a mother who moved across the world, three sisters, and the Queen who was both friend and conqueror. The Princesses of Punjab—Sophia, Catherine, and Bamba Duleep Singh—were the daughters of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. Their journey begins in India but moves – as they did – across Nepal, Britain, Egypt, Germany and Pakistan. Their lives were shaped by female family members, mother Bamba Miller, Grandmother Jind Kaur, and Godmother Queen Victoria. They lived through defining 20th-century moments. They witnessed the fall of the British Empire in India and Pakistan; campaigned for women’s right to vote; nursed soldiers during WWI; and sheltered refugees. Dr. Mishka Sinha will illustrate objects from these women’s lives as shown in Historic Royal Palaces’ exhibition The Last Princesses of Punjab: Sophia Duleep Singh and the women who shaped her (March 2026). Dr. Sinha will explain how their destinies were shaped by global politics and how each expressed womanhood, power, and royalty in different way. These women’s lives were marked by privilege, but also loss, migration, and conflicting identities. Dr. Mishka Sinha is a cultural and intellectual historian of 18th–20th century global and imperial history. Dr. Sinha has a BA from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, received an MPhil at the University of Oxford, and her PhD at the University of Cambridge. She has taught at many UK and Europea Universities. She has held research fellowships in Berlin; at Cambridge (British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship); in Florence (Max Weber); at Oxford; and in Edinburgh. Dr. Sinha has several years of experience working in museums, arts and heritage in India She was co-curator of the exhibition, Untold Lives: A Palace at Work (2024). Zoom Rental A

Zoom | Saltram: Rising Family Fortunes and Artistic Transformation

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · 9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar

The Saloon, or Great Drawing Room, at Saltram, Devon, designed by Robert Adam in 1768. ©National Trust Images/John Hammond Saltram House in Devon underwent major interior and exterior design changes during the mid-18th century to the early 19th century—transforming the building from a sizable Jacobean house to a fashionable Georgian mansion. Much of these changes were championed by the women of the Parker family: Lady Catherine Parker in the 1740-50s and Lady Theresa Parker after 1769-75. As the family’s aristocratic status and fortune strengthened through strategic marriages, the Parkers used portraiture to promote ideas of family dynasty and to emphasize their rising social status. Zoë Shearman, NT Property Curator at Saltram, will speak about the house’s history from the late middle-ages to the early 19th century and examine the house’s ownership under the Parker family. She will discuss the influence of the family’s artistic relationships (and their London connections) on the house’s interior decoration. She will illustrate the later change to more classically inspired interior decoration, under Robert Adam, as well as the acquisition Saltram’s Grand Tour and Chinese collections. Finally, Ms. Shearman will discuss how the adaptation of Saltram to the Palladian-style, and the formation of the collection, paralleled the rise in the family’s fortune and status. Zoë Shearman is the National Trust Property Curator at Saltram House, Devon. She has significant experience as a curator and consultant with a focus on cultural heritage, contemporary art, and social practice. Previously, she was founder Director/Curator of projects agency Relational; Artistic Co-Director of Spacex Gallery, Exeter; and Director of Visual Arts for Riverside Studios, London. She holds a degree in the History of Art from the University of the Arts, London. She has taught as a number of postgraduate curatorial programs and has worked as a curatorial consultant for Arts Council England, the Arch

Zoom Rental | Saltram: Rising Family Fortunes and Artistic Transformation

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 · 7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Zoom Recording

The Saloon, or Great Drawing Room, at Saltram, Devon, designed by Robert Adam in 1768. ©National Trust Images/John Hammond Saltram House in Devon underwent major interior and exterior design changes during the mid-18th century to the early 19th century—transforming the building from a sizable Jacobean house to a fashionable Georgian mansion. Much of these changes were championed by the women of the Parker family: Lady Catherine Parker in the 1740-50s and Lady Theresa Parker after 1769-75. As the family’s aristocratic status and fortune strengthened through strategic marriages, the Parkers used portraiture to promote ideas of family dynasty and to emphasize their rising social status. Zoë Shearman, NT Property Curator at Saltram, will speak about the house’s history from the late middle-ages to the early 19th century and examine the house’s ownership under the Parker family. She will discuss the influence of the family’s artistic relationships (and their London connections) on the house’s interior decoration. She will illustrate the later change to more classically inspired interior decoration, under Robert Adam, as well as the acquisition Saltram’s Grand Tour and Chinese collections. Finally, Ms. Shearman will discuss how the adaptation of Saltram to the Palladian-style, and the formation of the collection, paralleled the rise in the family’s fortune and status. Zoë Shearman is the National Trust Property Curator at Saltram House, Devon. She has significant experience as a curator and consultant with a focus on cultural heritage, contemporary art, and social practice. Previously, she was founder Director/Curator of projects agency Relational; Artistic Co-Director of Spacex Gallery, Exeter; and Director of Visual Arts for Riverside Studios, London. She holds a degree in the History of Art from the University of the Arts, London. She has taught as a number of postgraduate curatorial programs and has worked as a curatorial consultant for Arts Council England, the Arch

Zoom | Picturing History: Photographic Works in the National Trust Collection

Thursday, May 14, 2026 · 9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar

Self-portrait with sister, George Bernard Shaw, 1898. The George Bernard Shaw photographic collection, National Trust. The National Trust in the UK looks after more than 550,000 photographic prints; negatives and transparencies; and photographic works of art, spanning from the 1840s to the present day. Collectively they act as visual diaries, offering glimpses into the way people live and how they viewed the world. One of the inventors of early photography, William Henry Fox Talbot fixed images using chemicals on paper in 1835 at his home at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (NT). In her talk, Anna Sparham will illustrate some of the Trust’s extensive range of photographic holdings and highlight their common themes—from both professional photographers and amateurs. She will explore the history of this innovation and describe its link to NT properties. Finally, Ms. Sparham will look at the contemporary relevance of these works today. Anna Sparham graduated with a photography degree from Nottingham Trent University. She became National Curator for Photography at the National Trust in 2022. She has worked extensively with both historic photographic collections and contemporary practitioners for 25 years. When she was Curator of Photographs at the London Museum, Ms. Sparham developed multiple exhibitions and publications on subjects including women’s suffrage, youth subculture, street photography and London at night. Her latest book, 100 Photographs: From the Collections of the National Trust was published in 2024. Zoom Live Thursday, May 14 | 2:00 p.m. (ET) $15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom Rental | Picturing History: Photographic Works in the National Trust Collection

Friday, May 15, 2026 · 7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Zoom Recording

Self-portrait with sister, George Bernard Shaw, 1898. The George Bernard Shaw photographic collection, National Trust. The National Trust in the UK looks after more than a 550,000 photographic prints; negatives and transparencies; and photographic works of art, spanning from the 1840s to the present day. Collectively they act as visual diaries, offering glimpses into the way people live and how they viewed the world. One of the inventors of early photography, William Henry Fox Talbot fixed images using chemicals on paper in 1835 at his home at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (NT). In her talk, Anna Sparham will illustrate some of the Trust’s extensive range of photographic holdings and highlight their common themes—from both professional photographers and amateurs. She will explore the history of this innovation and describe its link to NT properties. Finally, Ms. Sparham will look at the contemporary relevance of these works today. Anna Sparham graduated with a photography degree from Nottingham Trent University. She became National Curator for Photography at the National Trust in 2022. She has worked extensively with both historic photographic collections and contemporary practitioners for 25 years. When she was Curator of Photographs at the London Museum, Ms. Sparham developed multiple exhibitions and publications on subjects including women’s suffrage, youth subculture, street photography and London at night. Her latest book, 100 Photographs: From the Collections of the National Trust was published in 2024. Zoom Rental Available Wednesday, May 15 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | Sent out May 15 by 12:00 p.m. (ET) $15 members; $25 non-members and guests

Zoom | Writing the Garden: Authors and Artists Reflections

Monday, May 18, 2026 · 9:00 AM · Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar

The garden in August at Monk’s House, East Sussex 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

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 · 7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Zoom Recording

The garden in August at Monk’s House, East Sussex 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

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 · 12:00 PM · Zoom Webinar

Zoom Webinar

Escheape Market 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 Covent Garden Piazza with London Transport Museum, geograph.org.uk 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

Thursday, May 21, 2026 · 7:00 AM · Zoom Recording

Zoom Recording

Escheape Market 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’ Covent Garden Piazza with London Transport Museum, geograph.org.uk 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