Cowes Heritage are mounting a new exhibition about Northwood House and the Ward Family.
An opportune reminder of the fascinating history of one of the Isle of Wight’s best-known historic Listed-houses is being provided by Cowes Heritage, with their latest major exhibition concerning Northwood House and its long association with the once highly influential Ward family.
(Background on the History of Northwood House And The Ward Family)
Starting Saturday
Opening to the public on Saturday (23 October) for three weeks, the exhibition is, appropriately, being held at Northwood House through the kind permission of the trustees, recently given the challenging task of running the house and beautiful park by the Isle of Wight Council.
“We want this exhibition to serve as a reminder to Isle of Wight people just how important it is that this house and park are preserved for future generations, despite the present economic difficulties,” said Cowes Heritage chairman John Groves.
“Hopefully our various displays will shed light on the many interesting aspects of the story of the house and park, and the huge role the Ward family played in the life of the Island in bygone times.”
A huge number of photographs
The huge number of photographs of Northwood House include those of the richly ornate decor of the public rooms, exquisitely painted ceiling portraits of famous people of antiquity, and some of its 36 all-different marble fireplaces.
There are also many photographs of Weston Manor, including its fine chapel. Most of these pictures were taken by Cowes Heritage member Jim Green. There are also reminders of the various roles played by Northwood House in the Second World War.
Book launch
Being launched in time for the exhibition is a book with numerous photographs, by Cowes Heritage member Angela McMurtry, about the history of the main piers in Cowes Harbour. One of the references was to George Ward who in 1820, together with a Southampton man, started the first Cowes-Southampton steam packet service.
Opening times
The exhibition will be open every day, for three weeks – Full details on Events OnTheWight.
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