This May Cornerstone Heritage, the University of Plymouth’s heritage research group, presents two weeks of (almost) daily talks by leading experts on the history and heritage of the historic built environment hosted by the Earl of Devon at Powderham Castle. ‘Cornerstone at Powderham’ is part of the University of Plymouth’s wider on-site investigation of the castle’s history this summer in collaboration with staff and students from the department of Historic Preservation, University of Pennsylvania.
All talks are open to the public and free to attend. Talks will be held in the Chapel at Powderham Castle at 5pm.
Wednesday 16 May
‘Space, Place and Material Culture in Eighteenth-Century Britain’
Daniel Maudlin, Professor of Early Modern History, University of Plymouth
Thursday 17 May
‘The Interior in the Eighteenth Century’
Laura C. Keim, Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania
Friday 18 May
‘The Country House in Devon’
Hugh Meller, former historian for the National Trust, author The Country Houses of Devon (2015)
Tuesday 22 May
‘The Country House in Cornwall’,
Paul Holden, House and Collections Manager, Lanhydrock House, Cornwall (National Trust)
Wednesday 23 May
‘Traditional Devon Building Materials’
Stuart Blaylock, Devon Buildings Group
Thursday 24 May
‘Eighteenth-Century Plasterwork’
Geoffrey Preston, architectural sculptor
Wednesday 29 May
‘Charting a Future for a Country House in the US: Blithewold Mansion and Gardens’
Pamela Hawkes, University of Pennsylvania
Thursday 30 May
‘The American Garden at Powderham: “Delightful Retreat in the Plantation”’
Rebecca Wilkinson, University of Pennsylvania