From Manchester to the grandeur of Portland Place, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s journey unfolds before us. Here at 63 Portland Place, marked by this simple blue plaque, lived the author who gifted the world “The Secret Garden.” This very house, with its “long chilly passages and cavernous cellars,” inspired her historical novel, “A Lady of Quality.” Frances Hodgson Burnett, born in 1849, wasn’t just a resident of this grand house; she breathed life into its walls from 1893 to 1898. Her time here wasn’t without its challenges. While she relished the opulence of Portland Place, managing the house and staff sometimes proved difficult, as she documented in her short story “The Captain’s Youngest.” Before the magic of “The Secret Garden” bloomed, Frances Hodgson Burnett navigated the complexities of life and creativity within these very walls. She yearned to fill the grand rooms with “the atmosphere of being lived and talked and thought in.” She wanted them to lose their “stately airs and graces.” This plaque commemorates not just her residency but also a pivotal period in her literary career. The echoes of her stories still resonate within these walls, a testament to the enduring power of imagination. A bit of trivia for you: this plaque wasn’t always in its rightful place. In 1979, it was mistakenly placed on number 65, only to be hastily relocated the next day before the mortar had set. So, as you stand before this correctly placed blue plaque, imagine Frances Hodgson Burnett, pen in hand, crafting worlds that continue to enchant generations.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to