Exhibition Introduction

For centuries, aristocratic country houses were cornerstones of British social, economic, political and cultural life. This was a society structured by Christianity, in which religion mattered as much as class or race in defining who had access to power and privilege. It was a rural landscape in which Jews and those of Jewish origin did not seem to belong.

This exhibition explores how Jews arrived in Britain, and fought for the right to acquire land and the political rights and social status that came with this. It is an untold story that illuminates what it means to be British, and the changing place of both Jews and the country house in British life.

This is not just Jewish heritage. This is part of our story – and your story – too. 

All Saints Church at Tudeley in Kent is the only church in the world to have all its windows decorated by the iconic Russian- Jewish artist, Marc Chagall. The d’Avigdor- Goldsmids were one of the most important Jewish families in Britain and the church is situated on what was once their estate.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

One of the church windows designed by Marc Chagall for Tudeley. The commission was inspired by the Chagall windows at the synagogue of the Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem, which depict the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Photo: © Joe Plumb

 

 Exhibition continues: Land and Citizenship

'Country Houses, Jewish Homes' was curated by Abigail Green and Marcus Roberts and was supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council grant number AH/S006656/1