With International Women’s Day on March 8, the month is also Women’s History Month…raising awareness and celebrating the contributions women have made to events through history and society.
Many women, whose stories often slid under the radar, worked or lived on many of English Heritage sites dotted around England.
Here we celebrate just a handful who have quietly shaped our way of life today. And, we have an offer for 25 per cent off gift and annual memberships. Click here to save!
Gardens – Emma Darwin (1808-96).
Although Charles Darwin used the garden at Down House for his experiments, it was his wife, Emma, who had charge of the day-to-day running, design and management of the garden. In 1879, when thinking about a new garden design, she writes how she is: ‘scheming greatly how to get some more room for flowers such as roses.’ See here to find out more.
Groundbreaking archaeologist – Lady Aileen Fox (1907-2005).
One of the first female lecturers in archaeology, she described her desire to do something as a result of having observed the ‘indolence’ and boredom of upper-class Edwardian life for her mother. Her first excavation was at Richborough Roman Fort, where the Romans landed in Britain during the invasion in AD 43. See here for further information.
First professional female artist – Mary Beale (1633-99).
Historically painting was viewed as a male profession, however some managed to break the mould. At the height of her career in the 1660s, she was in considerable demand and as the main financial supporter of her family, her husband Charles became her studio manager. Beale’s painting of Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, hangs at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire. See here for details.
Garden design – Jemima Marchioness Grey (1740-97).
A close interest and deep emotional attachment to the gardens at Wrest Park, having lived at the estate since her childhood. She inherited the estate from her grandfather in 1740 and was well-informed, had been tutored in garden design, surveying techniques, geometry and astronomy. See here for details.
Creative sculptor – Mary Thornycroft (1809-95).
A favourite sculptor of Queen Victoria, Thornycroft worked for the royal family for many years. Her marble sculptures of the royal children, including the limbs of the young princesses and princes (based on plaster casts taken when the children were sleeping), are on display at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. See here for further information.
Osborne House is home to sculptures from Mary Thornycroft (Image: Getty Images)
We’ve teamed up with English Heritage to offer 25 per cent off gift and annual memberships which gives the chance to see its sites in every season.
What’s more English Heritage membership allows every member to take up to six children under the age of 18 within the family group into any of the English Heritage properties at no extra charge.
Want to find out more? Simply click here! Use code NEWSQ25 at the checkout.
Offer ends: March 31, 2025.
T&C’s: For use on new membership purchases only. Annual direct debit only.
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