Harewood House

EXHIBITION
Time Period: 1300 to present

Work & Play displays aim to explore Harewood House, its people and collection in the wider landscape, and specifically looking at the social context. It focuses on the expansion of the house in the mid 19th century to accommodate the large family of the 3rd Earl of Harewood and the changes that Sir Charles Barry made to the existing house below stairs including the kitchen and servants hall.

It features the work & play of the family, especially Princess Mary –the Yorkshire Princess - and staff of the house and gardens (Enjoy seeing the pony cart used by the Princess to take the children round the estate).

The new computerised staff database charts those people that worked for the Lascelles family since 1763 will be launched, later on-line, and will feature in the displays ‘Below Stairs’. And of course the Below Stairs displays in the Servants’ Hall, Steward’s Room, Old Kitchen and warren of servants’ corridors provide fascinating insights into the lives of the scores of individuals employed in running the House and household.

Outside the house the Himalayan garden has been created to support and promote the Bhutanese Stupa built in 2004 and a new book on the garden will be published. Decorative plants and flowers from the sub-continent feature in the sunken garden approached by a new bridge from the Stupa.

Another striking feature, newly opened to the public for Work & Play, is the ice house, designed by John Carr and built in 1761, lying to the south west of the Stable block completed a few years earlier in 1756. Its wonderful shape belies the back-breaking work needed to fill it with ice every year from 1761 until 1851 when a more convenient ice house was built in the basement of Harewood House.

To emphasise the changes that the Victorian period brought to the world there will be a display of the beautifully illustrated Guide to the Great Exhibition of 1851 showing the pavilions of the world in full watercolour! Also on display is a leather-padded metal rocking chair exhibited in the Great Exhibition. This may come out as botanical illustrations of bananas etc to go in Spanish Library!!!

Harewood will also explore kitchen garden produce and menus for the house as a link to the West Indies, plantation ownership and the abolition of slavery; the principal theme for 2007. The Bicentenary of the British Parliamentary Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade will be celebrated by the production of a free leaflet explaining the 1807 Yorkshire election and the role played by Henry Lascelles. Later on in the year Carnival Messiah features on the north front for most of September with educational activities and 3 weeks of spectacular performances supported by the Arts Council, Yorkshire Forward, Kevin Linfoot plc.

Harewood Church will have new lighting and heating and toilets nearby, also providing much needed facilities for the many events on the north front. In late July the Game Fair will be held at Harewood giving a current view of work and play in the countryside.

Rather than focusing on a singular, static exhibition Work & Play in 2007 incorporates many displays, activities and levels of interpretation for visitors. A dedicated exhibition and Estates leaflet will be available in the 2008 season For more information visit www.harewood.org

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Seed Sowing Workshop
Thursday 19^th April 10.00am-4.30pm
Join Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson for this full day learning the techniques of seed sowing in protected environments.
£30
Includes coffee & biscuits and lunch

Evening Bat Walk
Monday 7^th May 7.00pm
This accompanied evening walk will wend its way through the grounds of Harewood in search of our resident bats.
Ticket price to be confirmed

The Harewood Stupa & Himalayan Garden
Thursday 24^th May 6.00-8.30pm
Illustrated talks by Trust Chairman, David Lascelles and Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson on the Harewood Stupa and the Himalayan Garden from conception to creation. The talks will be followed by an evening walk through the Himalayan Garden to the Stupa with our two speakers.
£20
Includes a glass of wine/soft drink on arrival

Red Kite Walk
May date to be confirmed 10.00-11.30am
Red Kites were released on the Harewood Estate as part of a UK conservation initiative. Today the population of these birds in this area has soared. Harewood’s Science Education Officer, Marie Bowness will walk us through the Harewood Estate, keeping our eyes on the sky for these incredibly striking birds.
Ticket price to be confirmed

Plant Cutting Workshop
May/June date to be confirmed 10.00am-4.30pm
Join Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson for this full day learning the techniques of taking plant cuttings.
£30
Includes coffee & biscuits and lunch

Beekeeping Taster Day
Monday 4th June and Monday 2^nd July 10.00am-5.00pm
Since 2006, Harewood has been the home to a number of apiaries whose residents are thriving in the peaceful atmosphere. Join us and spend the day experiencing the role of a beekeeper.
£20

CLA Game Fair
Friday 27^th to Sunday 29^th July 9.30am - 6.00pm
The world’s biggest country sports and pursuits event. Pre booked tickets available.
Day rate for Adults £19, family £43. Other prices on www.gamefair.co.uk

Events programmes may have limited capacity, or be subject to change. Please telephone to confirm availability to avoid disappointment.