Blogs & News

: Online Event: Readings In Honour Of Mothers’ Day

Join us for a wonderful illustrated talk with readings about mothers and motherhood, in honour of Mother's Day. Elizabeth Gaskell's experience as a mother informed much of her writing. Our House volunteers will offer literary criticism and perform a delightful selection of readings about mothers from Elizabeth's letters, stories and novels. Join us from the comfort of your own home, to hear thoughts from the matriarch of ours! Tickets £4 ** This is an online event. Joining instructions

: Lunch-time Talk: Ruskin In Manchester

John Ruskin had a lot to say about Manchester. Find out just what he thought of our great city in this lunch-time lecture with Anthony Burton. Stay to explore some of the correspondence between Ruskin and Elizabeth Gaskell in our Ruskin exhibition too. Lunch-time talks are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.   For more talks, see our full programme

: Lunch-time Reading: International Mother Language Day

It's International Mother Language Day! Join our fabulous volunteers from across the globe, as they read extracts from Elizabeth Gaskell's writings in their own languages. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.   For more talks, see our full programme  

: Piano Recital: Constance Harper’s ‘The Magic Casements’

Come and join us for a very special piano recital of children's songs, composed by a former resident of Elizabeth Gaskell's House! The Magic Casements, written by talented harpist Constance Harper in the 1920s, will be performed on our beautiful boudoir grand piano in the gorgeous drawing room here at 84 Plymouth Grove on Sunday 20 October. The Harper family lived in the House from 1913, and Constance, one of the daughters of the family and a member of

: Sketching Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Join us for our perennially popular day workshop in sketching. Have you ever wanted to record your memories of a visit using your own sketches and illustrations? Our much-loved workshop, led by urban sketcher Liz Ackerley, will teach you how to capture special places using pen, pencil, watercolour and other simple materials in a sketchbook. From drawing special items like lamps and furniture, to details, features and views, this day workshop will give you the skills and tools