Explore Surrey’s rich Victorian history of death and mourning
Things to do in your area
Family-friendly events will explore the Victorian culture of death and memorialisation in Surrey. They are being offered by researchers at the University of Surrey and the Surrey Arts and Humanities Network (SAHN).
The series will help the public discover the stories behind Victorian gravestones, mourning traditions and even spiritualist experiments in art and writing. They include an exploration of the legacy of the London Necropolis Railway and craft afternoon at the Watts Gallery.
"Memorialisation is a cornerstone of how we engage with the past, understand the present, and shape the future," said lecturer Dr Lucy Ella Rose. "This series offers a unique opportunity to explore our county's and, indeed, our country's rich variety of Victorian memorials, from traditional gravestones and grand statues to mourning attire and the artistic expressions of grief."
The programme involves three free, family-friendly events held at key sites across Surrey, a county with a deep-rooted history of memorialisation. Locations and activities include:
- Surrey History Centre on Saturday, June 8: Immerse yourself in informative talks and delve into the archives that unveil the lives commemorated in Victorian memorials.
- Watts Gallery on Saturday, June 29: Participate in a "crafternoon" session at the Artists' Village, drawing inspiration from Victorian mourning practices and artistic expressions of remembrance.
"Not many people realise this, but Surrey boasts a rich history of memorialisation, having served as the destination for London's Necropolis Railway, a transportation line dedicated to carrying bodies for burial," said Dr Rose. "These gothic but fascinating stories should not be forgotten, and that is why we are delighted to launch this series."
For further information and full event schedule, visit the Victorian Memorials website.
