Hogarth’s House Re-opening

The House has been at the forefront of the news over the last week, thanks to the energetic efforts of Lucinda MacPherson. Two of our trustees, Lars Tharp and Val Bott, were interviewed by Nick Higham for the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, which has put an excellent audio slide show by Paul Kerley onto the programme’s website. BBC London News also provided an on-line piece. Val was also interviewed by Phil Bayles for the ITV London regional news programme on 8 November.

History Today picked up the story and so did London Historians – Mike Paterson wrote a piece based on a little inside knowledge after doing some voluntary work for the project – he has also booked the first group visit to the House!

ChiswickW4.com has done the House proud over the last few months, keeping coverage absolutely up to date. There were pieces in The Guardian by Maev Kennedy and in the Evening Standard.

Two excellent women photographers, Anna Kunst and Katri Salonen, have provided the House with superb images – Anna of the people and events and Katri of the beautiful interiors.

Dara O Briain, satirist, social commentator and local resident, performed the opening in style. He and Wesley Kerr gave Hounslow’s mayor a hard act to follow, but pointing out that he was similar in stature to Hogarth, Cllr Mann rose to the occasion!

For a historic house isolated by a 6-lane dual carriageway, this has been a fantastic opportunity to raise its profile – and certainly helps account for the enthusiastic visitors who have come to explore the refurbished House – roughly two months’ worth in 6 afternoons!

The House is open Tuesday to Sunday 12 noon to 5pm, admission free. It is perfect for a family visit during the holiday but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day!

Happy Birthday, Mr Hogarth

Today would have been William Hogarth’s 314th birthday. The Trust’s traditional flowers were placed at the feet of the Chiswick High Road statue and because Hogarth’s House has just re-opened there were small modern fairy cakes or pieces of traditional madeira cake for visitors this afternoon.

This has been a momentous week with the re-opening of the House after such a long time.

There was a queue on the first day, 8 November, and visitors have been pouring in.  We hope Mr Hogarth would have been pleased!

And there was a piece to mark the birthday by Hannah Renier on the London Historians website, concering Leicester Square and Hogarth.