Boston Flora

Tag: Royal Oak Society

  • Thursday, September 24 – Sunday, October 4 – Shakespeare, the Cotswolds & the Welsh Marches

    Starting with the iconic Globe Theater along the south bank of the River Thames, The Royal Oak Society trip on September 24 – October 4 will trace William Shakespeare’s journey back to his beginnings in pretty Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring significant time capsules such as his fascinating birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s idyllic cottage, learning how his wide-reaching influence is still felt over four centuries later. Continuing to the nearby Cotswolds, we discover how its medieval heritage, rolling countryside, ancient woodland, bubbling rivers and fairy tale castles provided the perfect inspiration and setting for the mischief, drama and courtship that the Bard’s plays are so famous for. Combining fiction with historical fact, familial power and beautiful landscapes, our memorable tour is complete with an introduction to the Welsh Marches, a region once dominated by conflict, where spectacular gems such as the Victorian Eastnor Castle and the primarily Tudor Hellens Manor await. $7,450 per person. To learn more visit https://www.royal-oak.org/britain-tours/shakespeare/ or call 212-480-2889, ext 203.

    Anne Hathaway’s (William Shakespeare’s wife) famous thatched cottage and garden at Shottery, just outside Stratford upon Avon, England.

  • Monday, May 23 – Friday, May 27 – Britannia in Virginia: Celebrate British Heritage and Washington’s Legacy

    This spring, join the Royal Oak Society as we explore America’s British roots in Virginia, the first, largest, and most prosperous of the original 13 colonies. George Washington notably considered Alexandria his hometown. Discover Washington’s life and legacy with extraordinary depth on exclusive guided tours of properties connected to his family. Ten miles south of Alexandria, enjoy an inside look at Washington’s legendary estate, Mount Vernon.


    The estate’s director will lead us on an enchanting candlelit private tour after hours. Washington’s great-grandfather, the English-born merchant John Washington, acquired the property in 1674, and you will chart Mount Vernon’s evolution over centuries, gaining an exclusive window into history from Britain’s colonial settlement of Virginia to the very birth of America.
    Other highlights of the 4-night program include access to historic homes, including properties representing the finest examples of English Georgian architecture on American soil. Stroll through their centuries-old private gardens with the expert guidance of horticulturists. On exclusive tours, step back in time at venues that have borne witness to some of the most consequential events in early American history. 

    JOIN the director of George Washington’s legendary estate, Mount Vernon, for an exclusive candlelit visit after public hours, and accompany the horticulturist for a private walk through the estate gardens
    MEET the library director on a behind-the-scenes visit to the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, which is not open to the public, with an inside look at the Presidential Library Special Collections
    GATHER for a private champagne reception at the Presidential Librarythat features a tasting of George Washington’s whiskey, distilled on site according to the original recipe and methods
    DELIGHT in a private tour of George Washington’s River Farm, the 1653 property once owned by Washington and the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, exploring the Manor House and strolling through the gardens with a horticulturist
    VENTURE behind the scenes of the 1753 Carlyle House when it’s closed to the public, and learn the history of this illustrious Georgian manor house, built by Scottish merchant John Carlyle, who founded the city of Alexandria
    ACCOMPANY a historian on a private walking tour through Alexandria’s Old Town, one of America’s most historically rich areas, with more than 200 pre-Revolutionary buildings, with special access to Lloyd House, an early American example of beautiful English Georgian architecture
    ENJOY an exclusive candlelit visit to Gadsby’s Tavern, the 1785 eatery that played host to all of the first five U.S. presidents, as well as Thomas Jefferson’s 1801 inaugural banquet, with a special candlelit dinner in one of the Tavern’s dining rooms
    EXPERIENCE a private, special-access opening to the (US) National Trust-maintained Woodlawn Plantation, an 1805 Georgian/Federal mansion, a gift from George Washington to his nephew and his bride.

    Download the brochure for full details HERE.

  • Wednesday, February 2, 2:00 pm – A Princely Estate: The Duchy of Cornwall, Online

    The Duchy of Cornwall is England’s first and oldest dukedom founded in 1337 by King Edward III for his son and proclaimed heir, Richard of Woodstock – the Black Prince. The estate was created to provide the heir apparent to throne and his family with an income during the period he was Prince of Wales.

    Today, almost 700 years later, the Duchy performs the same role it did at the outset. The present holder of the title is His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales and the estate will pass to his son, Prince William, when he accedes to the throne.

    In his Royal Oak Foundation talk on February 2 at 2 pm, Ian Cox will explore this unique English institution and look at its history, its holdings and some of its peculiarities. The work and stewardship of the Duchy by Prince Charles, the longest serving Duke of Cornwall, will be considered and projects such as the organic farm at Highgrove and Poundbury new town in Dorset will be highlighted. Ian Cox studied at the Universities of Keele, London and Glasgow. He developed his career as a decorative arts historian in the 1980s and was the Director of the Christie’s Decorative Arts Programme at the University of Glasgow and then Director of Studies for Christie’s Education in London. Ian also ran a prestigious Decorative Arts Summer School for Christie’s in New York and was Co-Director of the Victorian Society of America London Summer School. Ian has published widely in the history of the decorative arts, particularly on furniture and ceramics. In more recent times, he has directed cultural holiday programmes for the ACE foundation in Cambridge and is a regular round the world lecturer for the Seabourn and Silverseas cruise lines. He has been a lecturer for The Royal Oak Foundation in the USA since 2006.

    In addition to the live lecture, you may choose to purchase a rental version of the talk, available from February 3 – February 14. $15 for Royal Oak members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.royal-oak.org/events/winter-2022/cornwall/

  • Friday, August 20, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – A Conversation with Neil Porteous, Online

    Best-known for his extraordinary revitalization of the gardens at the National Trust’s Mount Stewart, County Down, North Ireland, Neil Porteous is a garden consultant much in demand elsewhere around Ireland. At present, he is restoring one of the country’s most important gardens created at the start of the last century: Annes Grove, County Cork.  In this August 20 Irish Georgian Society online talk, beginning at noon Eastern time, he will explore the site with historian and author Robert O’Byrne, explaining its significance and illustrate what he is doing to ensure the legacy of Annes Grove has a dynamic future. 
    Tickets: $20 + $2.85 fee Registration Required with IGS at eventbrite

    The Lecture is sponsored by Hindman. Hindman is recognized internationally as a leading fine art auction house. Hindman operates more salesrooms in the United States than any other firm and conducts over 100 auctions annually in categories such as fine jewelry, fine art, modern design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, couture, Asian works of art, arts of the American West, and numismatics, as well as special focus subjects as the need arises. Please visit hindmanauctions.com for more information and the 2021 auction calendar.
    Register with IGS