Upcoming Events
Past Events
From our inception we have run a programme of evening research seminars at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ, providing a platform for academics and heritage professionals to present on themes and subjects relating to our interests. Topics have ranged from slate quarrying and medieval genealogy to family silver and estate management. We especially enjoy opportunities for showcasing the innovative research of early-career academics. The seminars have proved to be extremely popular and are always well attended, often drawingÌý²Ô±ð·ÉÌýpeople to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ for the first time.
ISWE also regularly co-hosts theÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ Archives and Special Collections Annual Lecture.
We take our role as a national research centre for all of Wales very seriously. Every year we hold a conference or symposium in a different region of Wales, focusing on the local influence and significance of country houses and estates. These events are often held in partnership with a county historical society and are regularly hosted at a country house venue. Past events include:
- 2024 - Researching, Writing & Presenting Welsh Country House Histories
(Hosted at Penpont, in collaboration with the Brecknock Society and Crickhowell District Archive)
Ìý - 2022 – Deep Mapping Estate Archives
(Hosted at the National Library of Wales, in collaboration with the RCAHMW and Aberystwyth University)
Ìý - 2020 – TheÌýlanded estate in south west Wales
(Hosted by the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society at Trinity Saint David Campus, Carmarthenshire)
Ìý - 2019 – ‘Rich in the remains of former ages’
(Hosted at Gregynog Hall, Montgomeryshire, in collaboration with the Powysland Club)
Ìý - 2018 – ‘Spheres of Influence’: The impacts of estates on the history, culture and landscapes of Anglesey
(Hosted at Plas Cadnant, in collaboration with the Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust)
Ìý - 2017 – ‘Justice and Joy’: Breconshire estates from the perspectives of landlord and tenant
(Hosted at Penpont, in collaboration with the Brecknock Society)
Ìý - 2017 – Mansions and their estates in Ceredigion
(Hosted by the Ceredigion Local History Forum at Llwyncelyn, Cardiganshire)Ìý
Ìý - 2016 – Reconsidering the gentry of north east Wales
(Hosted at Mostyn Hall, Flintshire, in collaboration with Flintshire Historical Society and the North East Wales Heritage Forum)
Ìý - 2015 – ‘The South Wales Squires’
(Hosted at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, in collaboration with the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society)
Ìý - 2014 – ‘Bonheddwyr Mawr o’r Bala’: A day school on landed estates in Penllyn
(Hosted at Glanllyn, Merionethshire)
- 2024 –ÌýNewid Eryri | Changing Eryri (whiteBOX, Pontio Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ)
- 2022 –ÌýDeep Mapping’ Estate Archives: A New Digital Methodology for the History of People and PlaceÌý(Bailey Hill, Mold)
- 2019 – Elizabeth Morgan of HenblasÌý(Storiel Museum, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ)
- 2018-19 – Tu Hwnt i’r Chwarel | Beyond the QuarryÌý(Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and Bethesda Library)Ìý
- 2018 – TheÌýMostyn Manuscripts | #Mostyn100Ìý(National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth)
In addition to our annual conference, we have regularly partnered with other organisations to host other public symposia and events. These include:Ìý
- 2024 – Book launch: Lowri Ann Rees,ÌýThe Middleman at Middleton Hall
(Hosted by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ)
- 2023 – Insights from the Life and Letters of Lady Augusta Mostyn
(Hosted by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ, for Explore Your Archive Week)
- 2023 – Penrhyn Archive: Plantation-Quarry-Farm (and everything in between)
(Hosted by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ)
- 2022-23 – Historic Houses for the 21st Century: Heritage, Innovation, Sustainability
(Five thematic workshops hosted by Gregynog Hall)
- 2022 – 'DeepÌýMapping Estate Archives' Community Events
(Mold, Treuddyn and Llanarmon-yn-Ial)
- 2021-22 – History for the Future WorkshopsÌý
(Hosted at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ)
- 2021 – John Ystumllyn: Celebrating the Father of Black Presence in North West WalesÌý
(Online, in partnership with Race Council Cymru)
- 2021 – Being Human Festival: Penrhyn in PoetryÌý
(Hosted at Penrhyn Castle)
- 2019 – Reading, Writing, and Collecting: Books and Manuscripts in Wales, 1450–1850
(Hosted at Brecon Cathedral)
- 2019 – Book launch: J. Gwilym Owen and Peter Foden,ÌýThe Penrhyn Entail
(Hosted by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ)
- 2018 – Patriarchal Paradigms? The roles and experiences of women on the landed estates of Wales
(Hosted at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in collaboration with Women’s Archive Wales)
- 2018 – The Mostyn Manuscripts Symposium
(Hosted at the National Library of Wales)
- 2018 – Woodland Management in Wales: Past, Present, Future; Heritage, Management and SustainabilityÌý
(Hosted at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ, in collaboration with the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ Forestry Students Association and Woodland Heritage)
- 2018 – Events and activities associated with Prosiect Penrhyn: Tu Hwnt i’r Chwarel | Beyond the QuarryÌý
(Hosted at venues and sites across Dyffryn Ogwen)
- 2017 – ‘Measuring the Meadows’ – Carto Cymru 2017: The Wales Map Symposium
(Hosted at the National Library of Wales, in collaboration with RCAHMW)Ìý
- 2017 – Book launch: Bettina Harden,ÌýThe Most Glorious Prospect.Ìý
(Hosted at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw)
- 2017 – Peter Lord: Portreadu Pobl Môn
(Hosted at Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Ynys Môn, in collaboration with Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust)Ìý
- 2016 – Book launch: Philip Nanney Williams,ÌýNannau: A Rich Tapestry of Welsh History
(Hosted at Corsygedol Hall)