Kings County February 2012
"To the great museums of the world, there must now be added one other. 78 Derngate, Northampton.. This is the most delightful museum you will ever see"
Daily Telegraph.
Northampton is very privileged to have the only house in England designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928). He was one of the most individual and creative designers of the 20th Century.
78 Derngate was a wedding present for Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke and his new bride costing £250. They moved in on March 21st 1917 and later asked Mackintosh to re-design the hall-lounge in 1919-20 from its predominately black walls to a grey finish. Mr Bassett-Lowke was an ingenious man and it was his vision and progressive taste that led him to approach Charles Rennie Mackintosh to design much of the interior and furniture for his new home. It was his last major commission and featured his extraordinary modern and striking interiors, Mackintosh transformed this formerly modest town house into a home of international importance.
Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke was responsible for establishing the Rotary Club in 1921, the Repertory Theatre in 1926 and was a Labour Councillor when the Mounts Baths were built in 1936.
78 Derngate has been painstakingly restored by a team of crafts people to its historic 1917 appearance. There is a restaurant offering a full range of delicious contemporary cuisine; a shop that has numerous unique gifts and a contemporary art gallery.
The 2012 season opens on Wednesday 1st February and the first exhibition entitled "Cushy Numbers" will be running until April 22nd. It is a delightful insight into the world of patchwork and quilting and will feature work from Northamptonshire patchwork and quilting groups.
www.78derngate.org.uk
Peggy King
www.voiceandmore.co.uk
www.voiceandmore.co.uk
