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Gladstone鈥檚 Library and the Old Rectory, Hawarden team up for Open Doors Events
Published: 24/08/2023
Two historic buildings in Hawarden will be giving visitors a chance to glimpse behind the scenes, where the public are not usually allowed.听
On Saturday 16th September 2023, visitors can take a combined tour of both properties as part of Open Doors, CADW鈥檚 ever-popular festival of Wales鈥� built heritage. The histories of Gladstone鈥檚 Library and the Old Rectory are intertwined. Several of the Old Rectory鈥檚 inhabitants were Gladstone鈥檚 immediate family, who went on to play an important role in shaping Gladstone鈥檚 Library after his death. To commemorate 125 years since W.E. Gladstone鈥檚 death, this year鈥檚 Open Doors theme at both the Library and the Old Rectory is 鈥楾he Gladstones at Hawarden鈥� and the two locations have teamed up to offer a joint tour of both sites.听
The Library will be offering a chance to see some of the highlights of Gladstone鈥檚 Library鈥檚 printed collections and archives, have a tour of the Reading Rooms, and go behind the scenes in the strongrooms. At the Old Rectory, now the home of North East Wales Archives, you can watch a video telling the story of the Gladstone family鈥檚 connection with the house, with glimpses of how the building looked during their time there, have a tour of the strongrooms where the County鈥檚 archives are kept and visit the Conservation Studio for a demonstration of preservation for historic documents. Tours last approximately 90 mins and delicious refreshments will be available at Gladstone鈥檚 Library caf茅.
Gladstone鈥檚 Library鈥檚 Warden, Revd Dr Andrea Russell, says:
"We鈥檙e delighted to be collaborating with our neighbours for an event that takes advantage of not only our shared history but our close geography! The Library team are looking forward to welcoming visitors on a day that celebrates Hawarden鈥檚 fascinating past."
每日大瓜 County Council鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Mared Eastwood said:
鈥淭he European Heritage Days initiative encourages residents and visitors to explore some of Wales鈥� lesser-known sites which are usually closed to the public.听 The Open Doors event is a fantastic opportunity to visit behind the scenes and I would encourage anyone interested in learning about the history of Hawarden and the work undertaken at both sites to come along.鈥�
Booking is required for all tours, which begin from both sites at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm. You will only need to book one tour in order to visit both sites. To book a tour starting at Gladstone鈥檚 Library, telephone 01244 532350 or email: enquiries@gladlib.org. To book a tour starting at the Old Rectory, telephone 01244 532364 or email: archives@newa.wales听
Tours are free of charge 鈥� book now to avoid disappointment!
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