The National Trust have launched a lecture series named after one of its co- founders Octavia Hill and is planned as an opportunity to explore our shared past and place in the world today. Each annual lecture will be delivered by a guest historian or cultural commentator, who'll reflect on national history and culture referencing places and objects in the Trust's care.
The first Octavia Hill Lecture was held on 2 February 2023 at The Royal Society, London, delivered by Neil MacGregor who is a writer, broadcaster, historian and probaly best known as a former director of the British Museum and National Gallery. His lecture explores how human history is represented through the objects in Trust care, and how interpretation of the past can help shape the future.
The lecture was followed by a panel discussion, where Neil MacGregor was joined by broadcaster Dan Snow, Times journalist and best-selling author Sathnam Sanghera, and historian, author and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Aasmah Mir of Times Radio chaired the discussion.
During the lecture (at about 40 mins) Neil Macgregor discusses Clandon House and his views on its future post the fire. The National Trust heavily revised plans for Clandon House can be seen here
The lecture and the question and answer session can be viewed on the National Trust Website
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