Lauderdale House heritage weekend explores Highgate history

The event kicked off at Lauderdale House arts centre on Saturday morning.

The public could explore a fair featuring more than 20 stalls, including the Pink Plaque scheme, which celebrates notable Highgate women, and The Highgate Roman Kiln project, which is restoring an ancient pottery kiln in Highgate Wood.

During the family day there was a free craft workshop to make either a futuristic or an historic house. (Image: Courtesy of Lauderdale House) Meanwhile the London Geodiversity Partnership led a walk around Waterlow Park to unravel the mysteries of the landscape, and Jacksons Lane arts centre shared plans to mark its 50th anniversary this year.

Elsewhere, Highgate Cemetery is also marking 50 years since a trust was formed to rescue the historic burial ground. Talks and film included an insight on the creation of the Holly Lodge and White Flats estates as social housing, and Acland Burghley school’s Hall for All project.

The heritage fair featured stalls by Highgate history societies, venues and community groups. (Image: Courtesy of Lauderdale House) The weekend also featured its annual forum, in which 24 representatives of Highgate venues, history societies and heritage organisations come together to share experiences and ideas.

“Traditional history societies were present in force and also young people revealing their own research as part of the Lauderdale Young Research and Interpretation Collective,” said Lauderdale House director Katherine Ives.

“It was a case of ancient and modern heritage; young and older enthusiasts all inspiring each other!”

Children proudly showed off their creations made during the family heritage day at Lauderdale House. (Image: Courtesy of Lauderdale House) She added: “Talks focused on how social impact and environmental considerations can help preserve our heritage for the future.”

The family day welcomed more than 70 children and their parents who completed a trail on the hidden history of the 16th century house to win a chocolate treat.

The family day also included a trail to discover the hidden history of the sixteenth century house. (Image: Courtesy of Lauderdale House) Ms Ives added: “The free crafts workshop inspired children to create castles and heritage houses alongside their visions for the future.

“Our favourites were a tower with a working pulley system, a futuristic animal house, and the haunted house with signs saying ‘Walk; don’t run’ and ‘slippery floor’.”