Royal Oak usually gives lectures in Chicago at the newbury Library in downtown Chicago (the site of the famous newbury Prize). This is a good place to talk about British topics. The library has just undergone a huge renovation, and it still smells of new paint (when we were there, the gallery was still open, so I was glad to visit). I arrived at 6 pm and checked in with my host. I bought this book, and then Jeremy, the co-author, signed it at hand. It is always a special pleasure to get the author's signature book! Before the lecture, David, executive director and CEO of the Royal Oak Foundation? David Nahans made some introductory remarks (it was nice of him to come from new york to talk with us). He introduced the Royal Oak to unfamiliar people, but he also gave an interesting data: Royal Oak has provided 654.38+09 million dollars for various national trust properties and projects in its history. It's great to hear that-joining the Royal Mounted Police will not only give you free access to real estate in England, but also help them gain a foothold directly. You did a good job. The lecture started on time, and I was glad to see that the room was almost full of people. It's always nice to see so many interested pro-British factions in my own backyard. Jeremy Musson is one of the leading officials in England. He used to be an architectural editor of rural life and appeared in many BBC programs. He knows onions like the back of his hand. Jeremy's speech focused on his new book. This book is huge-it clocks over 400 large format color pages. This is undoubtedly a beautiful book. This book is a series of monographs on country villas. This is the introduction of the famous historian David Canning, who is also the co-author of this book (I strongly recommend his groundbreaking work: The Decline and Decline of the British aristocracy). Jeremy is the curator of the prose in the book, and he wrote most of it. He also has an enviable task, which is to choose the right pictures to put in the book. These photos are the highlights of this book. I will introduce this book in detail in another article later. In his speech, he wants to emphasize some places and themes involved in the book. Publisher rizzoli said that this book is the most important book about English country houses since 1985. As long as you browse the web quickly, it's easy to agree with this. Jeremy said it very well. This book is an exhibition between covers.
In the first part of his speech, he selected some pictures from the book and talked about specific rural houses, such as Lacock Abbey, hardwick Hall, Noel, Pogley, Wilton House and Howard Castle. He chose each theme in order to highlight a particularly interesting theme related to the solemn home. One of his most interesting insights is that the village hostel is a "life machine", that is to say, everything and staff in the village hostel exist for the convenience of the host and guests. He also told interesting architectural gossip in every house.
Generally speaking, it's good. I have been to many houses mentioned by him, and it is interesting to learn something I don't know yet. General Etienne, most of the travel guides you buy in these houses are about historical public relations, so it is a pleasure to get the point of view of a person who has spent his life studying the subject. He has many opinions that others can't understand, and reading his articles in the book makes me very excited.
At the end of his speech, he talked about how this solemn family lived badly in the 20th century-many houses were destroyed or burned by owners who could not pay taxes. The National Trust Fund was established here. They have been endowed with some of the most outstanding buildings in Britain and entrusted to take care of them forever for everyone's benefit. It is natural that they have preserved so much British heritage. Although there are several managers of the landscape and built environment in Britain, they are the most important one (being a member of the Royal Oak is a good way to support their work).
Generally speaking, this is an excellent overview of British luxury houses and their research. In the end, I began to regret that I didn't continue to pursue history in college. If there is, I think I will take English country houses and villages as my specialty.
After the lecture, he brought a few interesting questions, and then it was time to end the evening. It is really a pleasure to drive home for 90 minutes and think about all the interesting things you have learned. I can't wait to read Jeremy's new book.
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There are still several classes on the schedule of the royal oak lecture in autumn. If you have another class next to you, don't miss it. Look at the location and timetable here. "KDSP" and "KDSP" became members of Royal Oak today, and freely entered more than 500 countries. Readers of Anglo-Tobia, UK, get a 20% discount with the code ANGRO20 19. There is also a discount for attending these lectures. Join today.