Visitors to Guildhall Library will soon discover the locations of Hercule Poirot’s apartment and Lenin’s office, how acrobats performing in Shakespearean London helped inspire our greatest playwright, and which City street was once the most important thoroughfare in Britain.
The self-styled, Corporation-owned ‘Library of London’s History’, which is celebrating the 600th anniversary of its founding, has now published its May to August events programme.
The four-month schedule includes a wide range of talks and walks and in particular, its ‘Whittington, The Man, The Myth, and the Cat’ free exhibition, which tells the story of the celebrated City merchant, politician, and philanthropist.
Event highlights include:
- TALK: ‘A Singular Street: Cheapside’ – Thursday 15 May, 2 – 3pm
Cheapside was once not only London’s principal shopping street, but arguably, the most important thoroughfare in Britain. City Guide Pete Smith will introduce you to tales of tournaments, processions, and buried treasure.
- DROP-IN EVENT: London Festival of Architecture – Architecture of Guildhall Library – Friday 6 June, 12 – 3pm
As part of the London Festival of Architecture, Guildhall Library is hosting a drop-in event with the opportunity to view some of its architecture-related treasures, including Pugin’s ‘Architectural Illustrations in the Microcosm of London’ and Tallis’ ‘London Street Views.’
- WALK: ‘From Charterhouse to Chartists – and beyond’ – Wednesday 11 June, 11am – 1pm
Join Pete Smith on this circular walk around Clerkenwell to locate Poirot’s apartment, an office where Lenin once worked, a gatehouse with links to Shakespeare, Hogarth, and Dr Johnson, and much more.
- TALK: ‘Shakespeare on the Ropes’, Thursday 12 June, 6 – 8pm (viewable online)
The streets, inns, and playhouses of Shakespeare’s London were home to remarkable display of aerial and bodily skill. Performers whom we would today call tightrope walkers danced on ropes high above the ground. Find out more about these performances, and how they helped shape the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
- TALK: ‘London’s Villages: Wapping’ – Tuesday 22 July, 2pm – 3pm
This illustrated talk will explore Wapping, which was once notorious, but now famed for its luxury apartments and fine pubs. Be prepared for grisly executions, serial murders, and burials at a crossroads, and find out what happened when a little boy met a tiger in the street.
- TALK: ‘History and treasures of Guildhall Library: 600th Anniversary’, Tuesday 12 August, 2 – 3pm
Join our librarians to learn about the history of Guildhall Library, and view some of its most impressive treasures.
- WALK: ‘The Medieval Precinct of St. Paul’s Cathedral’, Wednesday 27 August, 11am – 1pm
This walk takes you around the current St. Paul’s Cathedral and through its churchyard. Join City Guide Jill Finch as she aims to recreate the medieval precinct of the pre-Fire building, including the site of the ancient Paul’s Cross.
Chairman of the Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Brendan Barns, said:
“Whether you’re intrigued to find out where Hercule Poirot exercised his ‘little grey cells’, excited about exploring St. Paul’s Cathedral, or want to know why the name ‘Cheapside’ has nothing to do with the cost of goods, you’ll find something in the events programme that appeals to you.
“The team at Guildhall Library has produced a packed programme of fascinating and informative events, all of which will showcase our world-leading culture, heritage, and hospitality offer, and help increase workers’ and visitors’ footfall into the Square Mile at the start and end of the week.”
Guildhall Library is a key element of Destination City, the Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile. Attracting businesses, workers, and visitors will ensure that the continues to play a leading role in driving London’s and UK’s economy.
The Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK, investing over £130m every year. The City Corporation manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the free-to-enter Guildhall Art Gallery and The London Archives, Keats House, and London Museum. We are also the principal funder of the London Symphony Orchestra, based at the Barbican.
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