We Found a Huge GILDED AGE American Heiress Archive
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- Опубліковано 2 лют 2024
- 🌟 Preserving History at Mapperton House: Help Bring the American Heiress Exhibition to Life! 🌟 Hello, dear supporters! I'm Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, and as many of you know, I've stumbled upon an extraordinary treasure at Mapperton House in West Dorset - the largest American heiress collection of letters, diaries, and journals in the world! Now, with the help of over 25 virtual volunteers worldwide, we're on a mission to digitise and transcribe these precious documents.
However, there's a crucial need: Mapperton House lacks an archivist, and these invaluable pieces of history need proper conservation. I've taken it upon myself to learn the delicate art of repairing precious books, letters, and journals, each with its own unique story and many with small tears. In a nut shell, say hello to Mapperton's new archivist, me! But here's where you come in!
I'm reaching out to you on www.buymeacoffee.com/juliejmo... to raise £4,000 ($5,000) for essential archival equipment and exhibition supplies. This includes Conservation quality plan chest drawer cabinets, a Commercial quality dehumidifier, dress displays, hat mounts, display pillows, portable boxes, book cloths, wheat paste, and various conservation tools.
What's in it for you? For those of you who generously donate three or more cups of coffee, you'll have exclusive access to the American Heiress exhibition this summer (1st May 2024 - 28th September 2024) free of charge. Check out the opening times at Mapperton.com.
🌟 Can't Join Us in Person? No Worries - We've Got You Covered! 🌟 If you can't make it to the exhibition in person, don't worry - I've got something special just for you! You'll receive a personalized tour of the exhibition led by yours truly. Your exclusive private link to this virtual tour will be sent directly to you by the end of April, right before the exhibition opens its doors! But that's not all!
For the amazing souls who contribute 15 cups of coffee, you'll receive:
✨ A personalized tour of the exhibition - either in person or virtually (your choice).
✨ A beautiful pack of Alberta postcards (5 in total).
✨ A wonderful pack of Alberta's 7 drink recipes found in her 120-year-old cookbook - all designed by my talented sister-in-law Polly. These goodies will be sent to you via Royal Mail once the final mockups are perfected. Trust me; they're going to be even more beautiful than the attached images - we're still tweaking!
Your support means the world to me and Alberta and plays a vital role in preserving this unique slice of history. Join us on this incredible journey, and let's make the American Heiress exhibition a reality! Thank you for being a part of this historical endeavor. With gratitude, Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke
🏡 As our guest, you're invited to indulge in a 5-night stay at Mapperton! Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience at one of England's grand estates. Discover more details at www.grandhistorictours.com.
🌟 Thank you for being a part of our channel's journey! 🙌 Consider joining our fantastic Patron community: / mappertonlive .
By becoming a Patron, you unlock exclusive benefits like behind-the-scenes content, live Q&As, special gifts, and even personal cards and photos from us. 📸🎁 Every contribution supports the repairs and maintenance of our cherished historic home and estate. 🏰💼
🏛️ Join us for a virtual tour of Mapperton House & Gardens: buymeacoffee.com/mapperton. Our immersive experience combines 360-degree images, videos, and ambient sounds to transport you to the beauty of our corner of England. 🌳🌄
🌍 Don't forget to explore our sister channel: / americanviscountess .
🦅 Support the restoration of our 18th Century Grade II* listed eagles here: www.gofundme.com/mappertoneagles.
📬 Be the first to know about the latest happenings at Mapperton - our newsletter lands in your inbox every month. Sign up at mailchi.mp/mapperton/mapperto....
📅 Plan your visit to Mapperton! Book your ticket at mapperton.com.
🌿 Explore Mapperton Wildlands and learn about our vital nature restoration project at mappertonwildlands.com.
We can't wait to welcome you here someday soon! 🤗
Warm regards,
Luke & Julie
Viscount and Viscountess Hinchingbrooke 👑👑
Your support means the world to me and Alberta and plays a vital role in preserving this unique slice of history. Join us on this incredible journey, and let's make the American Heiress exhibition a reality! Thank you for being a part of this historical endeavor. With gratitude, Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke www.buymeacoffee.com/juliejmontagu
Julie Salutations ... what about hosting Sandwiches at Sandwich or Sandwich at the Sandwiches ... with one or 2 of the great ancestors favourite sandwiches. ... and tea and cake of his era ... Id come to that with friends for sure ...
I left a comment several days ago (it started with “Please, … don’t tape….”). I hope you will see this before you act on anything using any tape or adhesive. I’m in the States (Kentucky). I was looking at archival scrapbooking and found this YT vid - it’s excellent. At the end there is info about the org producing the video. I started a history museum 20+ years ago, which is where my foundation in this began. I’m sure I could convince one of my museum cadre to join me - get on a plane to offer expertise, as long as we have a bed and food, we’ll pay our air fare 😂. Joking aside, here is the YT link ua-cam.com/video/X473RuhEPio/v-deo.html&si=RBjVgyLA7hUyXuA7. The organization is the NEDCC (North East Document Conservation Center/ NEDCC.org). You’ve got a big job ahead!
@@rweems5796Because no one in Britain knows anything about archives?
You should absolutely hand write the labels in a 100 years from now your great/grandchildren will find it just as special to see your handwriting and any other material you leave behind for them!
No paint will fix it. You need to fix the roof, ceiling and all in between. Moisture is a bad friend and can only be removed by eliminating it. Hope you will get i sorted, ill keep my fingers crossed! Go to the root of the problem!
In an ideal world. I'm sure the roofs on these places are never 100% and you learn to live with it. In the meantime anything Julie can do to eliminate moisture on the micro is better than nothing.
She clearly said in the video that the roof is lead and _cannot_ be replaced, and they've fixed the leaks. The remaining moisture is from condensation forming underneath the heavy, lead roof tiles that creates an evermore dampening area above the ceiling. The only way to combat it would be exactly as she stated- scrape off the bits that have come loose, sand, and apply new paint.
I am sure some rare books libraries in your region would also be willing to give you some time and their expertise.. You have probably talked with someone already, but if you are depending on videos, I fear you might miss some important aspects of doing this conservation. Your enthusiasm and current experience in restoring your country house certainly seems well-grounded in developing this project. Certainly you make this old librarian in the USA smile and wish you the best.
Your enthusiasm is so endearing. Mapleton is blessed. Keep up the good work.
Alberta was an exceptional woman just like you Julie
Okay so you want to conserve the documents - Some suggestions for those on a budget. Plastic Coded Paper Clips are our friends too (not just the brass which have a shelf life of 50 years). Displaying idea you can acquire 2 or 3 computer tablets and put them in the room. Putting images of the more fragile documents on them. Software for this is possible maybe apart of your scanning package. Just another way to display documents in conservation mode. Please do not make my first mistake and put book tape on the fragile books directly - supposed to use specialized paper & cardboards with them. 2 items you should look at are: a book Conservation of Books (Routledge Series in Conservation and Museology) and look into the information on the International Association of Paper & Book Conservation (IADA) bookstore and more.
Thanks for the tips!!!
The collection is amazing. May want to consider scanning and reproducing the receipt book. That is something I am sure many of us would pay money to get a copy of. Thank you for sharing Lady Hinchingbrooke
That is a good idea.
I would love that.
Hey Julie. I'm a retired art teacher and I have learned so many things on the Internet (including, bookmaking and binding). As long as you source acid-free materials. I'm sure you will do well. Enjoy the adventure! Your display cases look terrific.
Wonderful!
Excited for you about all your work on Alberta! Sorry to see the ceiling is still having moisture issues. I get that you have to keep the historic roof, but can you not pick it up and place a proper barrier under it to prevent that? The restrictions you face might make an interesting episode.
As someone who is currently doing work experience for uni with the National Trust conservation team at one of their Tudor homes, I'm so excited for you! Every time I hold a letter or work on a piece of furniture I become a bundle of excited nerves. It really is like stepping into time and it feels so good to know you have taken part in conserving a little piece of heritage ✨🩷
What an incredible gift you have brought to life Mapperton! I can’t even imagine all the work that you have done so far. I look forward to seeing it on proper display and I look forward to you receiving your masters degree.
Thank you so much!
A thought, Julie, to help decrease the moisture, do you have a drain hose leading off the dehumidifier to an outside outlet? That water is collected somewhere - in a pan underneath - but if it could be drained automatically, it would save you the trouble? Happy trails. Looks like fun. Love the history.
Nik the Booksmith is amazing at teaching book binding. She restored several books. She also has a great sense of humor you remind me of her a bit. Love the channel so happy I found it. Super jealous as a history teacher I LOVE old paper. So fun to go through it all.
Get one of the tiny projectors and get as much video footage and photos of her as you can. This keeps focus on the person. You have a beautiful collection.
I wholly agree with your suggestion!
Would gladly fly over for a workshop on HAND-MARBLED END-PAPERS. I went nutty for old books with hand-marbled end-papers growing up in London.
I read Earl Sandwich didn’t want his meat in the way of his gambling. I would rather believe he didn’t what the meat in the way of his work. This is all so lovely! All American and English history is right up my alley ❤
Alberta is extremely interesting, as are all of your husbands family. Have you looked into your side of the family? Your children’s other half? I know that someone found you are related to Alberta. I would love to find out about your side. After all with your children, you and your side of the family are well installed in the history of this great English family. With all you have done within the family you are a huge part just as Alberta was. I, would love to hear about your family history, after all it is absolutely now a huge part of Mapperton.
Everything you post is so interesting. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you so much for having this channel and sharing all these special moments with us. It warms my heart. I’m a British girl over here in America and it makes me so homesick. I absolutely adore history and I am so in love with the idea of preserving as much as we can. For every one of us, there are so many more that don’t think of it, so I think what you are doing is something so valuable to our future generations, people won’t even realise until maybe 100 years from now. When history will preserve your love and current efforts too. 🏞️ 🏰💚
A “chock a block” episode! So many exciting things about to happen at Mapperton. Get the dehumidifier going immediately. The air must be “very close” as my Dad would have said for the paint to be dropping off the ceiling. You have most of your equipment and I can’t wait to see all you accomplish in saving and restoring your Family’s papers.
Julie and family.
My husband and I will be visiting your area in May and plan to visit your house and gardens. I have followed your UA-cam videos for several years and while we visit the Dorset coast we decided to come see you. I personally have heritage through my mother’s line in England. We love to explore England and this year is your area. We love the history, houses, gardens etc…
Wonderful!
I am full of admiration for all you both do for the benefit of heritage of Mapperton. Without your energy and resourcefulness, its clear that so much of the Estate would have become irretrievably lost by delapidation and neglect. I wish you both every success
When are you having your portrait painted?
Love the Archive Room's makeover!
UA-cam taught me how to fix my clothes dryer! Woo-hoo ❤
I live in New Orleans, where it's like the tropics 8 months out of the year. The master bathroom in my house has no windows and no ventilation to air out the condensation after a hot shower, which began to cause mildew problems. I bought 3 big buckets of Damp Rid and placed them in 3 inconspicuous areas, and they've done an excellent job of absorbing excess moisture. Love your channel!!
I enjoy so much watching your videos. I share them with my daughter Eliza. We live in New York City and one day when able to afford would Love to visit London and visit your beautiful Mapperton home. 😄😄😁🖐✌🙌
So many ups and downs managing the estate. Glad to see you enjoying Alberta's archive. Have fun!
Your enthusiasm and energy are just what huge projects need! However, if I may suggest reaching out to the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA, as this estate has one of the greatest literary collections anywhere that was formerly private. They could be an invaluable resource for you when it comes to the preservation of old books and papers.... Keep up the great work as we all look forward to more videos!
Many years from now the folks will know you and of your hard work at this project! 😊❤
So happy that you understand the value of the past and you work to preserve those treasures.
Exciting times Julie. Question which I hope you won’t think cheeky - will you be restoring the sad gates at the front of Mapperton? They would look so much nicer restored for when the eagles return.
In my lifetime yes!
I want to repair my Martin family Bible and you have inspired me! It dates back to late 1800's and is in really bad shape! Sad😢 Thank you so much for these videos ❤🎉! I absolutely love the display case and chair! Lovely episode 🎉❤!
I learned how to repair books as a young teen and have resurrected those skills repairing our church hymnbooks. I strongly suggest that you practice with old second-hand books, especially on tears and split gutters of pages. Making new spines is tricky. Lining up your tapes is tricky. We often needed one person to hold a book open in just the right way, while another did the pasting. Best of luck to you.
There must be a possibility to publish Alberta's recipe book. There is a big market for those things out there. I can also imagine that in this age of "The Gilded Age" TV series, there would also be a big interest in it in the USA and that is a really big market. Could you talk to some publishers? This will likely come to something not only lucrative but very interesting for so many more people. There would also be a cross-pollination towards this UA-cam channel. I am sure it is a lot of work but it would be "deliciously" rewarding.
Yes in talks now! Xx
You are an amazing lady! I love your enthusiasm and energy for all the projects!! 👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much!
Absolutely fabulous! Well done, best wishes for lovely times with guests. 👏
Letters should be unfolded and kept flat. I am part of a group of professional genealogists who are volunteering at the Connecticut State Archives unfolding court documents. The dates range from 1760 to mid 1800's. Paper and ink quality are extremely variable as are the paper sizes and shapes.
The archway you were under when you were pointing out the paintings looks fabulous❤
Thank xou so much for taking us slong for the ride. For the rolled paper, there is techniques to "reset the memory" of the paper and you should do that before framing them because otherwise the tension will still harm them and after a while they would split. Love your enthusiasm! I could imagine you could enlist volunteer conservation students to help. I think lots eould love to help you out. We are all just excited about old stuff :)
Julie, you truly are a woman after my own heart! If something is too cost prohibitive to outsource, I always enjoy the challenge of learning a new skill and finding a solution. I have no doubt you will do a great job repairing those diaries. Please be patient with yourself, and remember that you need to rest in between all of these exciting projects. I look forward to watching this Alberta exhibit unfold and take shape. Best wishes to all from CT!❤
Baumgartner Restoration just posted a you tube video touring a graphic restoration company in Chicago. They restore and preserve all things paper. It might give you some valuable information about what not to do.
Yes, BR is awesome! I'm loving his new series!
❤ I would love to see you star in a movie about Alberta . You could easily portray her in her younger years . 😊
Too bad my Mother has passed away. She was the bookbinder for Special Collections at UCLA Library. She did those repairs and restorations all the time. She would have been happy to give you advice on what could be done.
I'm excited to follow your conservation of the wonderful documents and photographs.
What a marvelous project. Think about archival scans of her diary - for display. They can enhance the print/contrast and you will not endanger your original diaries.
I wish I could watch this live❤! My grandson is coming over and we're spending day together. I look forward to watching your amazing video later!!!! Hugs and love to all of you! Enjoy your weekend ❤🎉!
thank you Rhonda! see you here soon! xx
Mapperton and Alberta’s life reminds me of the show Downton Abbey ❤ I have been following you since the show on Bravo.💕
Love your excitement and energy Julie😍
I am new to your channels, and just wanted to take a moment and say hi. I have immensely enjoyed watching you, Luke, and learning the history of the Earls of Sandwich. Thank you for sharing your stories! Best wishes to you and yours from Atlanta, GA. I was able to visit London a few years ago, and I did not want to leave. Hoping to one day re visit and maybe visit Mapperton as well! Take care, and again, thank you for sharing all of this!!!
You are amazing. Love how hard you’re working on this.
Go Julie! You make this old American so proud. That's a lot of hard work, and so worth doing.
You have so many projects on your list. It seems like it will take years, not months, to get everything done. I applaud your enthusiasm and desire to preserve history!!!
Im so happy i found your page by accident! I love your videos and my love for history and being a little bit nosey ❤
So proud to know you! You are amazing in your attitude to your life as the Viscountess and as a woman. You are willing to take on a challenge to grow and to expand your knowledge base. Such a great mentor for all of us!! Hoorah to you, Julie!!
Thank you so much!!
You are simply amazing, I love your spirit!
What a lovely room.
it is admirable that you want to learn to do all those things but I worry about some of the oldest archival material. The reason it costs lots to get an expert to do some of that work is because it is a job for experts. I hope you start small before you get too ambitious.
Good Work! So fun to see all those supplies to help archive! Yay!
Thanks so much! 😊
I can't wait to see the restoration videos ❤
Please!!! Do not apply any tape or adhesive to those fragile documents until you KNOW that is the correct solution. Once applied it likely cannot reversed, even if it says it can be. They look to be so deteriorated that they will likely dissolve with any attempt to reverse. That white tape is tyvek. Yes, it is tough, but those old papers are not. Conservation is different than restoration. You need to conserve those papers, not restore them. I recommend you look into the process of backing each page with a strong, long fiber, super thin, ph neutral paper sourced in Japan, like Mulberry, Hosokawa Ohban, or Kozo paper. These papers are hideously expensive, but I think that these are your best chance to accomplish what you want. For the long term stabilization of these papers try to re-create the full paper structure, such that each page in a group is the same size and thickness. From my experience (admittedly limited) the tape will yield a page with variable thickness and strength, unless you cover the whole thing. If these pages are written on double-sided, that is definitely above my pay grade. The mulberry or kozo papers are so thin that they can be seen through with relatively minimal obscuring of the writing. The tape products tend to be used in libraries to keep books and docs functional for circulation, not historic preservation. Please research further before taping!
Yes this is the way to conserve. The book repair tape is for regular use, not valuable books. Once you put it on that’s it. You won’t get it off. That’s not conservation of historical or valuable books.
Just found your channel and I’m so glad! I look forward to watching your work on the exhibition.
Thank you! 😊
I repaired an enormous very heavy bible I bought in bits off ebay last year. Its so big and heavy you have to brace yourself to lift it.I used pva because it can be removed at a later date,as recommended by youtube,to repair the pages. The book binding tape wouldnt stick on the dry,rock hard leather,until out of desperation I tried ironing it with a warm iron. That worked really well. Turned out really well,but took about 2 weeks to heal up the torn parts, glue the pieces of the paper block back into one piece(I used strips of tissue paper in layers and water colour paper) glue leather on the spine, and seal with the binding tape. Very satisfying. Heaps of glue that took days to dry,which was a challenge because I had to stop myself fiddling with it to see how it was doing!
You’re amazing. I admire you’re taking on this important challenge. The history in this room is so important, I’d consider moving the contents to a dry work room until a retro flat roof drainage system under the lead roof is secured. Scraping and repainting the ceiling isn’t going to keep the damp out. Sooner or later the ceiling is going to give way. There has to be wood rot sooner or later and plaster won’t hold out the moisture either.
Will they let you stretch a waterproof tarp over the roof until a permanent solution can be resolved?
Shame you can’t pitch a tent over the roof to keep the rain off the lead roof.
My grandfather on my mother's side was born in 1878, just one year later than Alberta. I was less than two years old when he died in 1958.
Thank you for another great video. You enthusiam is contagious. Wishing you all the best on the archiving project. What you are doing is so important. I have been able to trace the line of my family up to Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. So your branch of the Montagu's goes down a different branch of the Montagu family. However , I have not been able to trace the family to English royalty. Perhaps your branch has a more direct connection than mine.
I was just going to ask about your gloves and hat! Thanks for mentioning it. What a job you have! I’m excited for your family mission and grateful for you sharing on UA-cam. ❤🙏🏻
Love to watch you I love history find your programs magical thank u x
Your energy and enthusiasm brings excitement to everything you do! Always enjoy watching you tackle your many projects!
Good Morning Julie I happy that you will do a exhibition of Alberta in the library and the history of the life of Alberta.
Hope your restoration goes well.
You are an inspiration, a hero, and a muse. Thank you.
I think I saw a fireplace in that room. Would it be helpful to periodically keep a small fire in fireplace to dry out that damp air? Glass protective fireplace screens or doors could keep sparks at bay?
Did you ever wonder where the term red tape came from? Thank you for all you do! TM who is also English ancestry
Such an exciting and important project. Happy to be following along Aunt Alberta. ❤
Hi all from Springfield Missouri
Julie, as a Listed building, does Mapperton qualify for any kind of preservation/restoration grant to deal with the lead roof and its unfortunate ability to trap moisture? I'm wondering, since this is a structural repair, not merely a cosmetic one, if there is some kind of grant out there for you.
afraid not...
Am I alone in thinking that you should display them exactly as they are? I think the worn covers give them the added beauty of age and history. Since they will be encased, there will be no worry of further damage.
Put that film of her on a loop on a big screen tv. I would love to see that.
I hope you mean a De-humidifier for the damp. Love your vlog..from Canada🇨🇦👏👏🤗🇨🇦
She mentions about 18 minutes in that she needs to get the dehumidifier set up.
I think you mean dehumidifier. Does the thermometer also include a hygrometer? That is what measures humidity.
The task you are undertaking is monumental! So much work ahead of you. Best of luck in your endevores. I'm sure you are up to the task.
Yes! Thank you!
this exhibition will be really cool!
Julie you have orbs in the video 💜
Did you timestamp them?
I saw it at 12:51
So interesting learning the history. Beautiful room.
Your the right person to keep that place up to date and fund its upkeep with your ideas.
Julie are you writing your own diary ?
The diaries and receipt book can be displayed as is. It's going to take longer than you think to deal with them properly. You should also consider that the paper may need to be deacidified.
I love your excitement 🙂
Have you considered taking photos of each page of the 'receipt' book and having a complete 'picture book' of all of the recipes?! I have seen other antique books completely photographed and printed onto 'antique' paper with rough edges that can look like the book is 200 years old! Have no idea of the cost to do that or to reproduce such a book of photographed original pages, but...
As for that rolled up scroll of the family tree showing the royal connection, what about 'sandwiching' it between two custom cut panes of glass, framed, so it can hang from the ceiling or be housed in a stand that would allow viewing of both sides?! I'm trying to think how a museum could show a document of that size and fragility, so both sides could be seen. There is glass that can cut down on glare and have some level of sun protection.
What an amazing job you have chosen! I bet there are some museums who have interns who would love to assist you in this project! If I could help, I'd leave California in a heartbeat to be part of such a task force! Best wishes for a successful outcome!
Hi Julie. I really enjoyed your video today. When you opened your box full of goodies, it must have felt like Christmas again! Now you have got me thinking about how I might be able to restore an old Bible that was passed down to me, as well as safely storing some old family documents. P. S. Though I do not live there now, I grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL - not too far from where you grew up! Kathy
this drives me crazy when rooms just get things thrown into - i want to come over and tidy and organize for you so you can things easily!!
i meant find things easily.
Hey look, it's a treasure conserving treasures!
I’d move the paper and fabric, important things to a room that doesn’t have a moisture problem…until the roof can b remediated and a membrane placed between it and the interior.
Hey Julie! May want to Practice on an older book(s) that are of no value prior to restoring the diaries 🤷🏼♀️ Best of Luck !
So funny that I noticed the model car at the end on the desk. you are a gift to the family
Hi Julie you should make a hologram with Alberta talking in the space or AI OR SOMETHING
AI In the works for next year
May i suggest that before working on the books, that during your learning that you make several different types of books yourself.
BS 5454 which was the old British Standard for Storage and exhibition of archival documents recommended a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius +/- 2 degrees (from 18 to 22) with an RH (Relative Humidity) of 50% +/- 10% (from 40% to 60%). The latest revised standard may have changed that but that is what everybody still goes with.
I would love to be an archivest!!! It must be amazing to be able to go through all those letters. I am from South Africa, but planning a trip to the Mother Country this year and hope to visit Mapperton. I love both your channels and hope we'll meet one day!
I have been working on our genealogy for over 20 years. I am taking all this in as I have just inherited original paperwork, tons of photos, and personal items. I have cataloged and photographed what I have received I am working on saving for archival boxes for the papers.
Done the same, I’m extremely lucky I inherited 2 books printed (one called Worthington family from before medieval times) which helped me with my tree on ancestry. DNA matches help as well.
@@rolo4945 That is fantastic!
Julie, are there plans to publish and sell copies of Alberta’s cookbook? I would be very interested in such a book.
Yes! In talks now ♥️
Ahhhh ~ I wondered why you wear a beanie and fingerless gloves. 😂