Celebrating the life and work of Elizabeth Gaskell
Listed events may be subject to change.Please double-check arrangements before leaving home.
A perennial Gaskell favourite is celebrated in this brilliant exhibition at Elizabeth Gaskell's House. The much-loved novel has never been out of print, and from its early serialised incarnation in Charles Dicken’s Household Words to the lovely BBC Television series starring … Continued
Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, … Continued
Join the team at Elizabeth Gaskell's House online for a spine-tingling talk, perfect for Halloween! Elizabeth Gaskell definitely had a dark side and wrote a number of gothic and ghostly stories. 'Lois the Witch' is set against the backdrop of the … Continued
This talk explores representations of adopted children in fiction by Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Our guest speaker, Dr Karen Laird, is an adoptive mother and the author of The Art Of Adapting Victorian … Continued
"A Fine and Subtle Spirit" - a bicentenary celebration in words and music A bicentenary celebration for Anne Brontë at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester. Postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, this unique concert event features choral settings of Anne’s words, … Continued
Back by popular demand! This sell-out talk by Dr Diane Duffy explores the life and work of Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneer of feminist thought in the UK, and her influence on Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing. Wollstonecraft is firmly back in public … Continued
Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, … Continued
A series of plays by Janet Goddard performed in person at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. ‘What is a bed for but to die in?’ asks angry, dead Emily Brontë. We snuggle down to participate in bed adventures with six bold women … Continued
A series of plays by Janet Goddard performed in person at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. ‘What is a bed for but to die in?’ asks angry, dead Emily Brontë. We snuggle down to participate in bed adventures with six bold women … Continued
The Friends of Elizabeth Gaskell's House have asked several enthusiasts to give short illustrated talks about their favourite objects in the House. So please sit back, with some suitably festive refreshments to hand, and enjoy. Tickets are £5.50, for more … Continued
In the late 1840s and early 1850s Elizabeth Gaskell paid a number of visits to her friend Caroline Davenport at Capesthorne Hall, near Congleton, Cheshire. Capesthorne is a red-brick Georgian mansion, remodelled in the 1830s by the architect Edward Blore. … Continued
Bringing some festive cheer from Elizabeth Gaskell’s House to your home! Sit back with a mince pie and enjoy the Gaskell Society's Anthony Burton’s talk about seasonal customs from Christmases past. The Victorians rediscovered many traditional customs, from wassail bowls … Continued
Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, … Continued
Join us for a look at how Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell approach romantic love. Mr Rochester, Mr Darcy and Mr Thornton will all be mentioned! Elizabeth Williams is a retired English lecturer, Gaskell Society member and former Chair … Continued
Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, … Continued
We're not a million miles from International Women's Day, so to celebrate, we welcome Joanna Williams, who'll be talking to us about Lydia Becker. A tireless campaigner for women's suffrage and the universal education of girls, Becker was also a … Continued
Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, … Continued
Our Annual General Meeting takes place at Cross Street Chapel in April 2022. All Gaskell Society members are welcome for the morning session /AGM. Non-members can join us for the talk, details of which will be confirmed a little nearer the time. Save the date! … Continued
Our monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, … Continued
Our postponed 2021 Conference is going ahead in 2022! Save the dates: 8th - 11th July, 2022. We still intend to hold our Conference in Caernarfon, as North Wales was a place of such significance in Elizabeth Gaskell's life. And … Continued