Where
Shandy Hall is an Accredited museum run by an independent charitable trust and situated in the village of Coxwold in the North York Moors National Park.
“The White Horse of Kilburn and Byland Abbey can both be seen from the gardens – one of the finest views in North Yorkshire,” says its live-in curator Patrick Wildgust.
What
It is the 15th-century house where 18th-century novelist and clergyman Laurence Sterne wrote The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy.
As a museum it commemorates Sterne as a historical figure, who this year celebrates his tercentenary, and also his contemporary relevance, Wildgust says.
Opened
The house was opened as a museum in 1972 by writer and broadcaster Frank Muir.
Collection
The museum contains a comprehensive collection of Sterne’s works along with paintings, objects and associated prints. The Martin Rowson archive includes the original drawings for his graphic novel version of Tristram Shandy and there is a contemporary collection of experimental fiction and book art.
“Artwork from cartoonist Martin Rowson’s version of Tristram Shandy was acquired as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund-aided purchase of our former curator’s collection,” Wildgust says. “It is important because it shows that the text is not closed but open to contemporary adaptation and interpretation.”
Help at hand
Wildgust works with his partner Chris Pearson – “She does an immense amount in the garden” – and two funded project managers looking after education work and other initiatives.
“We have about 15 volunteers who work as room stewards and helpers on the two acres of beautiful gardens,” says Wildgust. “They are invaluable. We couldn’t exist without them.”
Budget
“Never enough,” says Wildgust. Income comes from admission fees (£4.50 adult), shop and exhibition sales and ad hoc grants. The museum is open on certain days and also all year round by appointment.
Highlights
Wildgust chooses the first editions of Sterne’s novels and Joseph Nollekens’ bust of Sterne – “a handsome and haunting work of art”.
Visitors
About 3,000 per year – with many more viewing online exhibitions and projects.
Sticky moment
“Waking in the middle of the night to no electricity and ceilings nearly collapsing after the pipes burst during five days of minus 16 degrees,” Wildgust says.
“It was dreadful. We were lucky to have an emergency plan in as much that we knew where the stopcock was.” The flood occurred in a part of the house where nothing of major value was housed.
Survival tip
Wildgust chooses a quote from the first volume of Tristram Shandy: “Either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do any thing – only keep your temper.”
Current plans
“During 2013 we are holding events connected with the 300th anniversary of Sterne’s birth. They include an exhibition titled the Good Humour Club and a performance of one of Sterne’s sermons in York Minster on 14 October with music by David Owen Norris and involving four school choirs,” Wildgust says.
www.laurencesternetrust.org.uk
http://goodhumour.laurencesternetrust.org.uk
Shandy Hall is an Accredited museum run by an independent charitable trust and situated in the village of Coxwold in the North York Moors National Park.
“The White Horse of Kilburn and Byland Abbey can both be seen from the gardens – one of the finest views in North Yorkshire,” says its live-in curator Patrick Wildgust.
What
It is the 15th-century house where 18th-century novelist and clergyman Laurence Sterne wrote The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy.
As a museum it commemorates Sterne as a historical figure, who this year celebrates his tercentenary, and also his contemporary relevance, Wildgust says.
Opened
The house was opened as a museum in 1972 by writer and broadcaster Frank Muir.
Collection
The museum contains a comprehensive collection of Sterne’s works along with paintings, objects and associated prints. The Martin Rowson archive includes the original drawings for his graphic novel version of Tristram Shandy and there is a contemporary collection of experimental fiction and book art.
“Artwork from cartoonist Martin Rowson’s version of Tristram Shandy was acquired as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund-aided purchase of our former curator’s collection,” Wildgust says. “It is important because it shows that the text is not closed but open to contemporary adaptation and interpretation.”
Help at hand
Wildgust works with his partner Chris Pearson – “She does an immense amount in the garden” – and two funded project managers looking after education work and other initiatives.
“We have about 15 volunteers who work as room stewards and helpers on the two acres of beautiful gardens,” says Wildgust. “They are invaluable. We couldn’t exist without them.”
Budget
“Never enough,” says Wildgust. Income comes from admission fees (£4.50 adult), shop and exhibition sales and ad hoc grants. The museum is open on certain days and also all year round by appointment.
Highlights
Wildgust chooses the first editions of Sterne’s novels and Joseph Nollekens’ bust of Sterne – “a handsome and haunting work of art”.
Visitors
About 3,000 per year – with many more viewing online exhibitions and projects.
Sticky moment
“Waking in the middle of the night to no electricity and ceilings nearly collapsing after the pipes burst during five days of minus 16 degrees,” Wildgust says.
“It was dreadful. We were lucky to have an emergency plan in as much that we knew where the stopcock was.” The flood occurred in a part of the house where nothing of major value was housed.
Survival tip
Wildgust chooses a quote from the first volume of Tristram Shandy: “Either laugh with me, or at me, or in short do any thing – only keep your temper.”
Current plans
“During 2013 we are holding events connected with the 300th anniversary of Sterne’s birth. They include an exhibition titled the Good Humour Club and a performance of one of Sterne’s sermons in York Minster on 14 October with music by David Owen Norris and involving four school choirs,” Wildgust says.
www.laurencesternetrust.org.uk
http://goodhumour.laurencesternetrust.org.uk