Hall exhibition will mark 90 years of garden scheme

The venue will be holding the exhibition this Sunday (22 July) showcasing images of the hall from the 1920s to celebrate the landmark.

Ninety years ago, on 4 July 1928, HRH Princess Mary and her husband Viscount Lascelles, opened the gardens of their home to the newly formed scheme.

The NGS was founded in 1927 in England with the aim of “opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity”.

On that opening day in July 1928 she had an overwhelming response.

The takings on the day were £180 12s 6d, enough to buy a house these days! And if entry to the gardens was charged at a shilling, that’s more than 3,600 people!

Princess Mary opened the gardens the following two years, until 1930 when she moved to Harewood House, following the death of her father-in-law, the 5th Earl.

Today the gardens can be considered the completion of Princess Mary’s vision.

Mark and Clare Oglesby, who now own the hall, reopened the gardens for the NGS in 2010.

At the opening on Sunday between noon and 5pm, the hall will be hosting the exhibition of black and white images of the gardens and hall from the 1920s. Tickets and prices adults £5; children free. Dogs on leads are most welcome. Refreshments will be available in the Orangery.