Mansion House open days – 26th & 27th September

Mansion House, Lord Mayors flat is on the top floor

Mansion House

Residents and visitors will be able to see the Mansion House like never before when the building hosts an open weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.

As part of works to restore the building the Georgian townhouse will open its doors offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Mansion House stripped of its furniture. Architects and guides will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have on the building and the restoration as they move freely around the building.

The evening of Saturday 27 September will also see the building host the Vespertine Event as part of the Food and Drink Festival. Music, performances and art will be the order of the day as guests tour the building as part of the Mansion House Masquerade.

After this the Mansion House will see its biggest investment since it was built in 1732, thanks to a grant of £1,198,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as well as funding from City of York Council and donations to the restoration fund.

The funding, announced in March 2015, will allow the Mansion House to be open to residents and visitors for longer and enable them to see more of the building, and its civic collection, than ever before. Once the restoration work is completed the Mansion House will be open to the public all day, five days a week as opposed to the three days a week it is open currently.

The support also looks to give the historic building a more financially secure future, and enable more people to get involved in learning at the Georgian townhouse and make it easier for more people to visit.

The Mansion House will be open from 11am–3pm Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November. For more information visit http://www.mansionhouseyork.com/. For information on the Vespertine event visit http://www.vespertineyork.com/vesp04/. 

Heritage Lottery Fund support for Mansion House restoration

Mansion House Christmas

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will help to improve access, displays and conservation at the Mansion House.

The project aims to give the historic building a more secure future in terms of its financial stability, getting more people involved in learning at the 18th century town house, and making it easier for more people to visit.

Development funding of £75,500 has been awarded
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New adult education courses announced for York

A Mary Poppins view of York from the top of the Mansion House and a residence fit for an Archbishop are two of the many hidden and unusual venues waiting to be discovered by participants on the new Inspire programme of workshops, lectures and events.

The collection which includes a Masterclass in rooftop photography in the city centre and a Contemporary Floral Displays workshop at Bishopthorpe Palace, make use of some of the special places which York and its surroundings have to offer. The venues are all hand picked to inspire creativity, promote learning or better understand the subject matter of the sessions.

The Autumn / Winter Inspire listings include other new and exciting venues, such as the Yorkshire Arboretum at Castle Howard where a watercolour painting workshop will take place outdoors with the Artist in Residence. York Medical Society in Stonegate, whose rooms are set within a beautiful Grade 2 listed building dating back to about 1590, is the venue for a new Discover Mindfulness workshop and other interesting Inspire venues include the Victorian kitchens of the Mansion House, Middlethorpe Hall and the Theatre Royal.

Each workshop, lecture and event is delivered by enthusiastic and qualified coaches or instructors who are specialists in their own field. Many have experience in working with schools, universities, private businesses, charities and other local organisations to share their expertise and experience.

Booking is now open for a range of courses and more will be added throughout the season.

Anyone interested in finding out more should visit http://www.feelinginspired.co.uk/, email hello@feelinginspired.co.uk or call 01904 552806

Mansion House history talks announced

Mansion House Christmas

The Mansion House will play host to a variety of talks by a group of local historians this August, as they discuss highlights of the city’s unique past.

The talks include:

•Thursday 15 August- Colin Sheppard investigates the origins of the Sword of Sigismund and offers a chance to see the sword itself.

•Wednesday 21 August- Battlefield historian and English Civil war musketeer Russell Marwood provides a costumed, hands-on insight into the fashion and equipment of a 17th century soldier (This will take place in the Council Chamber).

•Thursday 22 August- Peter Stanhope presents an illustrated talk on ‘A Panorama of Mediaeval York’ by the Edwardian artist Edwin Ridsdale Tate.

Tickets for each event cost £5 for adults and £4 and residents are advised to book in advance.

Tickets can be booked by calling 01904 615505 and more information can be found by visiting http://www.york.gov.uk/events/200640/mansion_house.