On Scything
Volunteer Dr. Grant Repshire talks about his experience Scything… When I first contacted Gilbert White & The Oates Collections about working as a volunteer, offering up my experience as a historian and literary scholar, I thought I’d spend my time studying history – but I’ve also found myself fortunate to
Gilbert White’s Manuscript
We’ve had a very exciting month here at Gilbert White & The Oates Collections but what with the grand opening, nature festival and everything else you might have missed one of the most exciting bits of news of all! Gilbert White’s manuscript has been digitised and is now available you
Frank Oates in Africa
On Monday 9th April to celebrate the opening of our new Frank Oates Gallery; historians Dr John McAleer and Dr Chris Prior from the University of Southampton will be giving an exciting talk on the Victorian Explorer and the environment he travelled in. Frank Oates’s travels in nineteenth-century Southern Africa made
For the Modern Reader
Dr. J. Grant Repshire takes the modern reader of the Natural History of Selborne back in time… Gilbert White’s A Natural History of Selborne offers a glimpse into the often-idealised world of a English countryside village in the early-modern era, before industrialisation changed the face of the world forever. Reading
Hester Chapone
Today is International Women’s Day, and we are celebrating the women who form parts of the stories of our three male explorers. This year we are celebrating Hester Chapone, writer, critic and bluestocking. Hester Chapone was the sister of John Mulso, Gilbert White’s lifelong friend, Gilbert & John met at
Frank Oates; A life spent pushing boundaries
On the anniversary of Frank Oates’ death Dr. J. Grant Repshire explains why Frank Oates deserves to be remembered. On the 5th February 1875, 143 years ago, a life spent pushing boundaries set by the limitations of naturally poor health finally caught up with Frank Oates. Having just completed the
10 reasons to bring your Group to Gilbert White’s…
Are you a group organiser or belong to a society that does outings? Then here are 10 reasons to bring your group to Gilbert White’s! 1. Great Packages to choose from! We have a range of different packages to suit your group’s needs. From our basic peak package and winter
Christmas in Selborne in the 18th century.
David Standing tells us about Christmas in Selborne in the 18th century. Gilbert White gave his first Christmas sermon at Selborne in 1751, instructing on the devout observance of the feast, and referring to the puritanical way of ignoring it ‘ traces of commonwealth Puritanism still lingered’ Toward the end
Ten volunteering opportunities at Gilbert White’s!
Want to Volunteer at Gilbert White’s here’s ten things you could do, and the list goes on and on! Why not see what else there is by coming along to our Chocolate Biscuit Clubs where you can meet with other volunteers and learn how you can develop your skills and
Gilbert White & Shakespeare
This blog was written in 2017. Next week Gilbert White’s garden will play host to chapter house theatre company’s production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. White doesn’t often refer to plays or fiction in his writings, but was well read, in letter three of The Natural History of Selborne