LONDON.- Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House with a Victorian extravaganza during a late night opening on Friday, 29th November 2024.

The Society will take you back to the 1870s with some top Victorian-themed entertainment that would have been enjoyed by the Fellows of the time, including an opportunity to experiment with the poetry the Victorians simply couldn't live without.

Celebrate the 150th birthday of the Society at Burlington House and try your luck at creating an "Ode to the Antiquaries" with the help of creative writer Becky Balfourth and be inspired by verse from the beautiful Victorian library and archive collection. The more unctuous and overblown, the better! Enjoy a parlour singalong featuring music hall classics performed by pianist and singer Kate Garner and discover the secrets of the Burlington Arcade in the late 19th century with West End historian Rohan McWilliam.

Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to visit the beautiful library to admire the original gasoliers and enjoy a display of rarely seen photographs and documents showing key moments in the history of the Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House.

The Victorians loved big beards and jaunty bonnets, so feel free to dress accordingly, but that's purely optional. The three most delightfully dramatic costumes will, however, win a magnum bottle of Fortnum & Mason's champagne each. Booking is essential to guarantee free entry to the Victorian extravaganza. Needless to say, there will be authentic drinks to purchase. Numbers are limited and there are three one-hour slots between 5pm and 8pm to choose from.

This event is part of the Society's Sensing History project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Champagne kindly donated by Fortnum & Mason.