Untouched for Centuries: The Restoration of Neglected 18th Century Tapestries (My dream project!!!)

Quackers was a much-loved pet Indian Runner Duck who lived at Mapperton in West Dorset, England.

Unfortunately a visitor to the historic house and gardens let her dog off the lead, and the dog attacked Quackers. The dog owner then retrieved the injured duck and wrung its neck before throwing the dead Quackers into the long grass.

The story of Quackers has touched hearts across the nation, following news articles in several national newspapers and the BBC.

From beanies to hoodies to iPhone cases - over 30 Mapperton branded products!

Curated by Mapperton’s very own American Viscountess, Julie Montagu, the "American Heiress" collection is comprised of more than 10,000 previously unseen letters exchanged between Alberta (Sturges) Montagu and her family, as well as the peerage at large.

Dating from 1888 to 1951, these letters constitute the largest unpublished private collection of correspondence from the period. They offer a remarkable glimpse into the life of a "dollar bride" during the Gilded Age, shedding light on both triumphs and struggles.

The exhibition takes innovation to the next level by introducing Alberta AI, a ground-breaking creation that brings her story to life like never before.

📚 Discover Julie's Best-Selling Books! Did you know Julie is a best-selling author on health and wellbeing? Check out her good for you recipe books and more:

We look forward to welcoming you to Mapperton soon! 🤗

Warm regards,
Luke & Julie
Viscount and Viscountess Hinchingbrooke 👑👑

[LadyCin]

Julie, I’m so excited that these tapestry treasures are going to be stabilized and perhaps repaired better. What a beautiful journey you and Luke have been on these many years, making sure that this important history is never forgotten.

[vickiweaver]

The tapestries are just magnificent and I know they will be outstanding after they are repaired

[debramarie]

Joy, joy, joy! Keep these amazing tapestries "alive" for many years to come.

[AvaT]

🇨🇦This vlog was so interesting! I am in awe of these tapestries and this lady that can restore them, she is so knowledgeable. I love the owl box, the owl cam is a great idea!! Oh my goodness those robes!!😍😍What a difference!! Such a talented group of ladies that can do this type of work.

[elizabethwezelman]

Interesting episode today from Hampton Court to Barn Owl boxes. The coronation robes were beautifully restored, and if available, more of the filming would be a terrific watch. Loved Luke's foray into adding to the re-wilding. I love Owls and the Barn Owl is a firm favourite. It's always interesting- and entertaining - to see Luke out on the estate. Thank you both.

[geirmyrvagnes]

You will have an excellent display piece for the coronation of William V and George VII. This is all about the long game.

[MisDaOcean]

Luke: I admire your loving efforts in conserving and improving Mapperton’s Great Outdoors. Julie: The tapestries and the robes! Simply wonderful. You both are leaving a huge legacy for your family and for your country. 🇬🇧

[rubystarr-]

Wow Julie, hey from Evansville, Indiana! All of this preservation work is so interesting and I'm so glad you're doing it. Many people wouldn't. I think you're going to need shelving somewhere (where they will be safe from any possible leaks) to organize all this. The tapestries... incredible. I've been sewing by hand for over 60 years and I'm so impressed with the work these people can do. I can't wait to see all the rest of the textiles. I love this stuff. (And Hampton Court of course <3 )

[louisebrislane]

Well! my dear, I think that you had better start going through ALL closets, trunks & cupboards where textiles of the past may be hiding away; as it would be a terrible shame if in five or more years time you happened upon a box, closet or some such container & located more pieces of the tapestry's after the restoration work was already done to them. It was lovely to see how well the coronation robes came together after their restoration process. It has me wondering if there are other places in the house & its environs, that are hiding more old costumes of the past, cushion covers or other treasures of the past that are rotting away waiting for their turn to be found before it is too late to salvage them.
Visiting Bath when I was fortunate to visit England in 1987 was one of the highlights for me, seeing all the old costumes, shoes, bags & other items that had been found & restored & then on show for people like myself to view. It was incredible & still remains a wonderful memory today all these years later. I bought every postcard they had of the garments & made them into a scrapbook as a keepsake. I loved reading historical novels & learning about the history of Great Britain & so seeing the garments gave colour to my imagination when reading the novels of the past. It was a magical experience, even better than Madame Tussaud's museum which was also magical.

[bethtaig]

How gifted are these people it’s actually amazing! Incredible gift to restore something so old.

[ladyjustice]

I remember reading that the lady of the house, along with her ladies, would spend many months/years creating a tapestry. Usually, during the cold winter months or unbearably hot summer.

[fionamcwilliam]

Always exciting when you have a piece restored! And I love the rewilding work with the nest box. You need to plant more trees now so their descendants have a future place to nest!

[AliceSoCal]

YES! Please place an owl camera inside

[RubyTuesdaysVintageHome]

How lovely it must feel to be planning all these restorations of such historic items for future generations not only within your own family but all the people who come to visit ❤

[DariaSundukova]

It seems that the god on tapestry is not Helios, but Apollo (he has bow and arrows as well), and the scene is pursing Daphne. The nymph and follower of the chaste goddess Diana, was pursued by the sun god Apollo, who had been struck by Cupid's golden arrow. Helios was also the sun god, but with another story)

[jennifers]

Wondering how one would “wash” a fragile tapestry? Another episode perhaps?😃

[kathymcfarland]

How exciting to have those coronation pieces back home! The tapestry project is one that I will be following closely! Thank you for sharing this with us! I do hope the owls find their new home and have many generations there! What a magical place to live with all that history!

[DeviJade]

Love these beautiful tapestries and I had one of my students build an owl house and she did it fabulously as well. It is important for to consider all types of birds because unknowingly people don’t realize that if we don’t take care of them, they won’t have nowhere to go. I love that that you put this piece in there. Thank you for this amazing our house and I’m sure the tree is happy.

[SeldimSeen]

If it wasn't for you and Lukes efforts with this channel so many Mapperton treasures would have been loss.

[irisfulkerson]

Know you mentioned probably would not be displayed but that robe looks great . Anyway you can get a see through case to put it in for visitors to look at it