Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Lords, Ladies & Mummies - The Story of Highclere Castle

Last Saturday [May 31] a friend and I got tickets to attend the 30th Annual Antiques Show and lecture at Christ Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. 


I knew Christ Church [Anglican Episcopal] was there, but this was my first visit.



The lecture was held in the chapel since all other areas were occupied with the antique show. I was glad photos were permitted inside the beautiful chapel.

[Front of chapel]

[Front facing the back]

The lecture, Lords, Ladies & Mummies, was the story of Highclere Castle, which the highly successful PBS series calls Downton Abbey.

Curt DiCamillo, an Architectural Historian, presented the very interesting lecture of how Highclere Castle began as an 18th century Georgian box-style house, that was renovated by architect Sir Charles Barry in the late 18th and early 19th century for the 3rd Earl of Carnavron.  Barry, who was also the architect for the Houses of Parliament, used the same Gothic Revival style on Highclere.

"Mummies" refers to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922.

Mr. DiCamillo shared the history of the home from the 1672 Herbert family [later Earls of Carnarvon] up to the present residents - the 8th Earl of Carnarvon.  His lecture was very interesting and educational.

[L-R:  Me, Mr. DiCamillo, and Linda]

After the lecture my friend and I toured the antique show which benefits the Music and Outreach Ministries of the church.  I wasn't planning on purchasing anything until we stopped at an antique linen and lace display.  The vendor came from Connecticut, and this was her last road show before retiring.  I purchased a 28" x 30" square linen cloth with a crocheted edge of tea accoutrements for $34.  It's my first piece of quality vintage tea-themed linen. I was told it's from the 1920's.

[Marjorie and Me]

Close-up of the linen.



After browsing the antique show, we went to the Angel Cafe in the church's lower level for a late lunch.



We got the Angel Plate sampler which was delicious.


It was a wonderful day of education and fun!


5 comments:

  1. An antique show and lunch! What fun! Love your linen cloth, too, it is perfect for you.

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  2. I would have loved to have attended. Love the linens, and I have been a fan of the Caenarvons since I was a teenager working at my first job in an Egyptian antiquities store. Very fun!
    Ruth

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  3. Oh, this was great fun to read since I have *just* stayed up late and finished viewing Season 3 of "Downton Abbey" tonight! (Tragic ending -- yikes!) Also, wanted to let you know that I have a tablecloth like yours (that was a great price!) and I also have the vintage magazine containing the pattern. It's the February 1925 issue of Needlecraft Magazine, so yes, it is definitely a 1920s design!

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  4. So glad you bought the tea cloth! Perfect for you!
    ...Nancy

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