This two-night, three-day Study Trip is organised and led by Adam Toole, Curator - Temple Newsam and Decorative Art, Leeds Museums and Galleries. The weekend is an opportunity to visit, or revisit and study, the most important houses and furniture collections in the area, including Castle Howard, Harewood House, Temple Newsam, and Lotherton Hall. This will be the first visit to the latter two houses by the FHS since new acquisitions have been added, this notably includes two tables by Gimson and the large Cooper bequest at Lotherton Hall, and an important 1760s commode made for Charles Townley at Temple Newsam amongst other items. We will visit as well two private houses, Birdsall House and Weston Hall. 

Birdsall House, the home of the Willoughby family since 1729, is viewable only with a private tour.  Based on an original Tudor house, it was expanded in the eighteenth century into larger neo-classical house, and again in 1873 by Anthony Salvin, and contains a rich collection of furniture. Weston Hall, owned by the Dawson family, dates from the fifteenth century, and was largely rebuilt in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It has a collection of furniture acquired over time by the family, and a banqueting house dating from 1600 in the grounds.

We are also delighted that James Lomax, who was curator at Temple Newsam House for thirty years, will give us an evening lecture about the nationally important furniture collection there, prior to our visit. 

To apply please contact events@furniturehistorysociety.org. 

The Temple Newsam Picture Gallery suite, by James Pascall, 1745-6.  ©Leeds Museum & Galleries (Temple Newsam).  Photography Norman Taylor