The Country House: Management, Preservation, Education

Module code: HA7106

Module Overview

English Country Houses are some of the most remarkable historical structures in existence. Many great houses in this country survive together with contents which have been assembled over centuries. They have enormous educational potential. This module will develop postgraduate students’ knowledge of the theory underlying the educational functions of the historic house: it will appraise them of the importance of social inclusion; learning in the historic environment; and the digital heritage. It will also include guidance from professionals working in the Historic House industries on the practicalities of managing an historic house and conserving its contents within different organizational structures. It will examine the potential application of theoretical approaches to specific case studies. Underpinning this module is the belief that the historic environment can make a major contribution to cultural and economic participation by all socio-cultural groups. Much of the teaching takes place at Lamport Hall itself, where invited professionals come to hold the small-group seminars. This will enable you to network and interact with your speakers.

The module will examine state and voluntary support for historic houses and the transmission of knowledge from individual researchers to the wider community. It will help participants realise the potential of Information and Communications Technology; appraise them of the respective roles of government departments such as the DCMS and DfES; the role of English Heritage (EH); the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF); National Trust (NT); and the Historic Houses Association (HHA). Given documented visitor numbers to historic properties, the importance of the country house in the heritage industry can hardly be exaggerated. In 2003, visitor numbers were as follows:

15 million to HHA historic houses
4.95 million to all English Heritage sites, National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
12.5 million to sites where payment is required
50 million to free access sites
3 million to Historic Royal Palaces, including Hampton Court