The Great American Revival
A Catalogue of Dreams: The Americans who revived the English country house
Blenheim Palace
September 2 - 10, 2024 | Maximum Group Size: 10 Participants | Availability: Open
From Consuelo Vanderbilt to Gordon Selfridge, those Americans who were devoted Anglophiles or married into aristocracy gave a much-needed boost to Britain in the 19th and early 20th centuries and some continue to this day. At the most obvious level, the wealthy gave a financial infusion which saved many country houses or at the very least kept them going in comfort and much better decorated than would have otherwise been the case. What became known as the ‘country house look’ was codified by an American. The greatest of early 20thC gardens was created by an American. The first female Member of Parliament was an American. It was an American romance that caused Edward VIII to abdicate. Here we examine a selection of houses and estates which were supported and sometimes transformed by fortunes hailing from the United States, together with a brief look at those who are continuing to forge those ties today.
At the time of curating this programme, a new television series entitled ‘The Buccaneers’ is about to hit our screens! This will showcase the 1870’s London social scene where young Americans were sent to find a partner!
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