Volume 2, Issue 1, April 2007
Letter from Chawton House Helen Scott talks about the many different visitors to the Library From professors to pensioners, it is a diverse range of people coming through the doors at Chawton House Library. Many people visit simply out of curiosity and a love of literature while others undertake in−depth research or are here as part of a school trip — complete with Regency dancing! Helen Scott, Chawton House Librarian, tells all... An important part of our work is ensuring that the library collection is used and enjoyed as widely as possible, by scholars and students of course, but also by the wider public. So as well as these individuals, we also welcome a range of groups who want to visit either to use the library, or to have an introduction to what’s here and a chance to see a few items on display. Groups of university and college students often organise trips to tour the house and learn about its history, as well as spend some time in one of the reading rooms. For example, a visit to the library is a regular trip for students studying at the Advanced Studies in England centre in Bath, which runs programmes for students from American universities. The ASE students come to the library to find out more about the works of women writers in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, such as Maria Edgeworth and Charlotte Smith. We also host visits from a range of other organisations and societies, such as reading and literary groups. At the University of Southampton, Prof. Emma Clery runs a course for undergraduates in which each student researches a different rare novel from Chawton House Library’s collection and finds out as much as possible about its author, publication and reception, as well as making a critical analysis of the work. Recently, other undergraduate students from Southampton have been working in groups, using the library to hone their research skills by finding out about the library’s holdings in areas such as dress and cookery. Of course, students on the MA in Eighteenth Century Studies at the University also visit, both for seminars held here and to use the collection. School groups often visit, spending their day here and at Jane Austen’s House to find out more about Austen and her life and work. The visit usually includes hearing about some of the books Austen read and that she refers to in her work, such as James Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Ladies and Frances Burney’s Cecilia, followed by Regency dancing in the Great Hall which is always popular. There is a Chawton House Library reading group which meets monthly to discuss a novel by one of the women writers in the collection; this is always lively and interesting with regular attendees ranging from people with lots of previous knowledge to those who are discovering these works for the first time. So it is an interesting mix of people who visit and use our library collection and we aim to keep reaching a wider audience as we grow and develop.
Helen Scott Librarian Chawton House Library, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1SJ T +44 (0)1420 541010 F +44 (0)1420 595900 E info@chawton.net W: www.chawtonhouse.org Registered Charity No. 1026921 Company Registration No. 2851718
Pockets of the Past
World Book Day
Barbara Burman, visiting research fellow, Winchester School of Art and the University of Southampton, took a unique approach to describing the social history of women in the long eighteenth century: by focusing on tie-on pockets. Her talk, held here on 8 March, demonstrated how material artefacts such as these can reveal valuable information about the past. These items were used by women of all social backgrounds and are rich in meaning about their everyday lives. The talk included a preview of a new photographic survey of surviving pockets in museum collections around the country and visitors even had the chance to try wearing a replica pair of pockets to complete the experience.
It was the tenth anniversary of World Book Day this year, and to mark this occasion, a survey was carried out to establish the ten books the nation cannot live without. Of course, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice topped the list, so it was only fitting that Chawton House Library celebrated the day in style! Sure enough, the whole of Chawton Primary School descended on us in full costume, each pupil — and teacher— dressed as a fictional character of their choice. A fun and educational day followed with storytelling, quizzes and tours of the house and grounds.
Examining the Slave Trade On 16 and 17 March, we were delighted to host an international conference, in partnership with Southampton University, called “Imagining Transatlantic Slavery” which explored literary and historical representations of the slave trade and its abolition. This important event brought together academics and scholars from around the world to commemorate the anniversary of abolition in Britain in 1807. Guests heard about the campaign against the trade by many women writers including Hannah More, Amelia Opie and Letitia Barbauld, all of whom are in the Chawton House Library collection. The conference also explored Hampshire’s part in the debate, as nearby Alton was one of a number of towns in Hampshire that petitioned for the abolition of the slave trade in 1792, making Chawton House a perfect backdrop for this informative and stimulating event.
An Evening With Hugo Vickers On 27 March, guests were enthralled by our speaker, Hugo Vickers, the well-known biographer, broadcaster and royal historian. Giving a fascinating insight into a biographer’s life, Hugo described the more unusual adventures behind some of the books he has written, demonstrating that a writer’s life is anything but dull. He also described his travels round the courts of Europe for his more recent royal biographies and a range of anecdotes made this a hugely entertaining event.
Lecture & Event Programme Lecture tickets: £15 and £10 for Friends and students 6.30pm: Reception with complimentary wine and canapés. 7.00pm: Lecture Thursday 26 April - Fellow’s Lecture Sense, Sensibility and Maternal Impressions: Pregnancy in Jane Austen’s time Professor Clare Hanson Tuesday 1 May Organic Gardening Seminar Sara Pengelly, Head Gardener, Chawton House Library Tickets: £10 including tour of the grounds, and tea and cake in the Old Kitchen. 2-4.30pm Tuesday 24 May - Fellow’s Lecture Jane Austen & the Silver Fork Novel Professor Edward Copeland Friday 15 June - Fellow’s Lecture Thomas Bewick, Nature’s Engraver Jenny Uglow, Writer, Biographer and Editorial Director of Chatto & Windus, talks about her latest book Open Days: Wednesday 9 May & Thursday 5 July Chawton House Library Open Day The library, house and estate are open to the public. 10.30am-5pm (last admission 4.30pm). £6 adults, children free. Includes Hampshire Regency Dancers, readings from Jane Austen, literary quizzes and treasure trails. Weekend 9/10 June Chawton Village Open Gardens Weekend Our gardens are open to the public as part of this Chawton village event. Entrance to all the participating gardens £5, accompanying children free. 1-5pm. To book or for more information, please contact Corrine Saint on 01420 541010 or email corrine.saint@chawton.net