Welcome to Harlaxton Manor Archives
We are in the process of cataloguing the Manor archives and we will use this space to share information and various items relating to the Manor, its history and occupants.
Harlaxton Manor was built in the 1830s by Gregory Gregory, a wealthy Nottinghamshire businessman, to replace the original Elizabethan Manor House in Harlaxton village. Having travelled throughout England and Europe seeking inspiration, ideas and indeed artefacts for this huge house, Gregory employed Anthony Salvin as architect and Harlaxton Manor must be regarded as Salvin’s masterpiece. Built in Ancaster stone, it is an exuberant merging of Gothic, Jacobethan and Baroque styles creating an unforgettable and dramatic impact.
Owner and architect had many differences of opinion, however, and Salvin having completed the exterior of the main building was replaced by William Burn who is thought responsible for much of the interior.
Few houses in the country can match the splendid approach to Harlaxton. A straight mile long drive across a bridge, under a gatehouse, past ‘the pyrotechnic display of the forecourt gates and screen’ to Salvin’s towering facade whether by day or night when the building is floodlit, is in itself a memorable experience.
The house is now owned by the University of Evansville, Indiana, USA, and is used as their International Study Centre.
The Archive
Archon code: 3454
The Manor has a small but significant archive with photographs, documents and memorabilia, managed by the College Librarian. This material, together with additional items discovered and donated, is in the process of being sorted, accessioned, catalogued and stored appropriately. The catalogue can be accessed on Archives Hub and Archives Portal Europe.
Contents of Archives
The Archive contains material relating to all aspects of the Manor from 1838, and earlier, to the present; the material relates to individuals (past and present occupants, staff, students, benefactors etc), Manor and College life, events, grounds and buildings, including:
- Photographs
- Maps and plans
- Items relating to previous occupants
- Items relating to WWI and WWII and the Manor
The material can be in the form of records or artefacts.
Records are defined as hand-written evidence, records in typed or printed format, computer generated records, maps, plans, drawings, photographs, audio and visual recordings which have been appraised as of archival value to Harlaxton Manor.
Artefacts must be relevant to Harlaxton Manor.
Aim
The overall aim of the Archive is to create and maintain a permanent, focused, relevant body of material that contains an accurate and comprehensive record of the Manor which can be used for the benefit of the Manor and College, past, present and future.
Linda M Dawes, BA Hons, MPhil, MCLIP, PCert
library@harlaxton.ac.uk
Contributors:
Dr Edward Bujak, Harlaxton College
Dr Mark Valenzuela, University of Evansville
Harlaxton Manor Archives 