Celebrating House of Stories

Event Details

Friday 2 October
10am - 5.30pm
The Hartington Room, at the Stables
Adults £60 | Students £15
Chatsworth Patrons and Friends benefit from 10% off tickets

Celebrating House of Stories brings together academics, writers and curators for a day of conversation inspired by Chatsworth’s 2026 exhibition, House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library.

The day-long programme includes a keynote from Dr Mark Purcell, Director for Research and Collections at Cambridge University Library. Dr Purcell is one of the UK’s authorities on historic libraries and book collecting, whose work has transformed the understanding of Britain’s country house libraries.

Throughout the day, speakers will uncover the stories behind Chatsworth’s collections.

Guest lectures include:

• Hélène Vidal will deep-dive into Duchess Georgiana library

• Jack Rhoden will explore the Cavendish Book Collection.

• Researcher Beatrice (Bibi) Cox O’Brien will examine Duchess Georgiana’s recently discovered original poetry

Emerging writers

As part of the House of Stories programme, four emerging writers undertook a collaborative residency with Chatsworth and Nottingham City of Literature, to produce a creative response to the exhibition.

There will be a short presentation of their work and the symposium will conclude with a conversation between two of the writers and writing mentor, Penny Boxall, about the process.

Creating the exhibition

Conservator Solange Masher, who undertook the conservation work and created the bespoke mounts for the House of Stories exhibition, will be in conversation with Ed Potten, specialist in incunabula and early printed books. Together they will explore the practical challenges of conserving and displaying historic books, what conservation can reveal about an object's history, and the connections between book history, collecting, craftsmanship and care.

In Conversation with Charlie Porter

The event concludes with and a special in-conversation with Lady Burlington and Charlie Porter, focusing on Chatsworth as a place of literary inspiration. Porter is an acclaimed writer, critic and author of the critically acclaimed novel Nova Scotia House.

Celebrating House of Stories offers a rare opportunity to explore the people, books and ideas that make up Chatsworth’s remarkable historic library.

And more

In addition, talks and discussions around individual objects will explore theatre, performance, books, collecting, conservation and the material culture of reading.

A full programme for the day will be released shortly.

Important information

Concessions

If booking discounted member (Patron or Friend) or student tickets, you will be asked to show your membership card or Student ID on the day.

Parking and Public Transport

Tickets include free parking for one vehicle on the day of the event. Local bus services stop at Chatsworth. Learn more.

Meeting point

Please meet in the Hartington Room at 9.30am for a prompt 10am start. The Hartington Room is accessed through The Cavendish Restaurant at the Stables. 

Accessibility

The Hartington Room is a step-free venue. Accessible toilets are located off the Cavendish Restaurant. Please note there are some areas with cobblestones in the Stables Courtyard. If you are parking at Chatsworth and require a blue badge parking space, you can request one during the booking process. The Stables is located at the top of Lodge Hill.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about accessibility or require a complimentary carer ticket.

Refreshments

Complimentary tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.