We are lucky here in Cheltenham to have the birthplace of Gustave Holst, which has been run
as a museum. However on the 10 September 2021 the house will become ‘Holst Victorian House’.
As Martin Renshaw explains: "We remain the house in which British composer Gustav Holst was born in 1874; where you can hear more about his life and view some personal items, including a piano on which he composed The Planets.
However, our Museum is also unique in being the only period house in Cheltenham open to the public. In Holst Victorian House we explore the lives of some of the inhabitants, including Holst’s parents, both in Victorian and more modern times.
Whether or not you have visited before, we look forward to welcoming you to 4 Clarence Road and sharing with you the experience of living in a Victorian home.
Gustav Holst was born at 4 Clarence Road in Pittville, Cheltenham in 1874. The house is now a gem of an independent museum which is undergoing an exciting transformation into the Holst Victorian House (HVH). HVH is the only Victorian home in Cheltenham open to the public. The aim is to broaden the appeal to visitors, immersing them in the experience of stepping back in time and being among the residents of a Victorian home. All whilst retaining the attraction for those interested in Holst and his music. We hope very much to welcome (back) members of the Arts Society Cheltenham.
We have scheduled some infrastructure work for next year, depending on external funding. However, we will be launching the first phase to coincide with Heritage Open Days (10-19 September). There will be a number of events at that time: in the Museum, in public spaces and also online. These will include:
· Talks about the Wining and Dining habits of Victorians, upper and lower classes, young and old
· BAFTA-nominated Carolyn S. Jones talking about her play and film exploring the lives of Gustav Holst’s mother, Clara, and Mrs Beeton
· Demonstration of cooking on the Victorian coal-fire range
· Punch and Judy shows
· Online talk by Adrian Barlow about a double portrait of Gustavus von Holst (Gustav’s grandfather) and his brother Theodore, painted by Theodore.
At launch we will have new interpretative material and visitor guide, a redesigned website, a changed visitor pathway passing through a succession of period rooms and new films which set the scene and showcase some of our key exhibits. We are also working on a redecoration of the house exterior, returning the front door and railings to their original colours.
Next year we hope to return the hallway to its original look and feel, install period lighting and soundscapes, revamp the Holst Museum rooms on the ground floor, and provide an audio-visual virtual house tour that visitors can access on a phone or tablet. Visitors will also have better access to Holst archive material using smart digital technology.
To keep in touch with developments, events etc. follow us on Twitter, Facebook or the website.
The Museum is currently open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for pre-booked appointments and walk-in visitors will be admitted providing that the museum is not overcrowded. We plan to open 5 days a week (Tuesdays to Saturdays) from 10 September. Front of house duties are performed by our wonderful band of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Museum and would like to know more, please email us at volunteers@holstvictorianhouse.org.uk."
I, for one, look forward to a re-visit and I hope some of you will also want to see how the house has evolved.
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