A live talk at King’s Church
This talk has been moved to the first Monday of April, as the second Monday is Easter Monday Bank Holiday
Anthea Arnold and Alison Grant – The Fitzroy Library Story: from gargoyles to Virginia Woolf and beyond
Fitzroy House occupies a prominent position in the now pedestrianised part of Lewes high street; “a jewel today in a rather bland crown” (John Eccles Sussex Express 2012). It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott for Hannah Fitzroy (nee Rothschild) as a memorial to her husband Henry Fitzroy, MP for Lewes for 22 years.
Anthea Arnold will explain how the library came to be built, its original use by the Library Society of Lewes and its life as a public library from 1897 – 1952 which gave rise to some interesting and unusual stories.
In addition, Alison Grant, the current owner of Fitzroy House, will introduce the key players as well as reveal some hidden architectural details in this gothic gem. The building has been saved once from demolition and has always been a prominent and appreciated feature in Lewes’s history and in the current landscape.
Fitzroy House, Lewes, image from C. Wycherley
Venue: The King’s Church building on Brooks Road, Lewes, BN7 2BY. (Between Tesco car park and Homebase)
(Please don’t park in Homebase’s car park: they take deliveries in the evenings)
Entry: Entry is FREE for LHG members, and £4 for non-members. Due to limited seating, admission will be by advance ticketing only – no payments on the door. Please book in advance at https://ticketsource.co.uk/lhg. Tickets available from 1 March 2023 until 5:30pm of the day of the talk. We will have lists of ticket-holders at the door and will check you in.
Covid precautions: Limited seating to allow for some spacing; no refreshments.
See the Talks page for a list of forthcoming monthly events organised by the Lewes History Group.
Friends of Lewes 