Historical Writers Visit Hogarth's House in Chiswick

Almost 3,000 visitors in first few weeks since House re-opened to public

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Hogarth's House, which has seen an influx of visitors since it re-opened to the public last November, recently welcomed a group of historical writers and publishers.

Val Bott, the Trust’s Chairman and a London Historians member, was asked by Mike Paterson of London Historians to host a small group which included well- known names, Lynn Shepherd, Essie Fox, Kate Mayfield, Lloyd Shepherd, Kate Colquhounand, Denise Meredith, with publisher Lisa Highton and Mike Paterson.

Val said she was delighted to meet such an illustrious group, many of whom specialise in the Victorian period.

The House was built about 1717 and William Hogarth lived from 1697 to 1764. Since it re-opened to the public last November after its extensive renovation, the house has welcomed over 2,600 visitors up to the end of December. This compares with a total of 4,800 for the whole of 2008, the last year it was opened to the public.

During her research for the new presentation of the House, Val was able to look at all of the residents from the beginning to the creation of the museum in 1904 so she was able to introduce the group to some 19th century residents. These included Rev Henry Francis Cary, curate of St Nicholas Church, poet, critic, translator of Dante who arrived in 1813 and went on to become Assistant Keeper of Printed Books at the British Museum. He was followed by the Wickstead family who migrated to Australia in 1840 and let the House; one of the tenants was Newton Treen “Brayvo” Hicks, a well-known melodramatic actor who retired to the House in the 1860s.

There have been many requests for group visits and guided tours. While tours are not possible as the rooms are so small, group visits are welcome provided they are booked in advance with John Collins, the Outreach Officer, on 020 8994 6757. These take place outside normal opening hours and a small charge is made for this opportunity.

For opening hours and further information: www.hounslow.info/arts/hogarthshouse or ring 020 8994 6757.

February 6, 2012