A LA Ronde is opening for the new season on Saturday February 28 after staff spent a winter working hard to get the18th century 16-sided house in shape for visitors.
A LA Ronde is opening for the new season on Saturday February 28 after staff spent a winter working hard to get the18th century 16-sided house in shape for visitors.
On Sunday March 1 and 8, between 2pm and 4pm, visitors will be able to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes.
House steward Nicola Perryman and her team will be unwrapping the dust sheets from the drawing room while explaining to visitors how the collection is protected, talking about the specialist techniques used in National Trust conservation cleaning, and the project work which has recently taken place.
Once the house is open the staff plans to continue showcasing a monthly favourite item.
From February 28 -March 25 a large silhouette group by Francois Torond (1742-1812), a Huguenot refugee and specialist in drawing with Indian ink, will be on display.
Assistant property manager Salli Carr-Griffin said: "A la Ronde is crammed with fascinating items, and this one had the most votes from our volunteers.
"It has reference to other eccentric items in the house, showing Jane Parminter's sister, Elizabeth, using a netting machine, which we still have, on the mantelpiece below.
"It shows too the silhouette of a squirrel sitting on the table. There is a squirrel's tail in the Cabinet of Curiosities. Could this be from that squirrel?
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