Join us for a fabulous and fascinating talk by acclaimed Austen scholar Dr Juliette Wells, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the opening of Jane Austen’s House. 

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Talk: A New Jane Austen

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Jane Austen’s House, Dr Juliette Wells shares new discoveries about Americans’ contributions to the site’s renown, from published accounts of visiting Chawton Cottage at the turn of the twentieth century to noteworthy donations of Austen relics to the museum, including the lock of Austen’s hair and the topaz crosses owned by the Austen sisters. 

Juliette Wells is professor of literary studies at Goucher College (USA), and the author of three histories of Austen’s readers and fans, most recently A New Jane Austen: How Americans Brought Us the World’s Greatest Novelist (2023), which centres on visionary writers and collectors who, from the 1880s to the 1980s, advocated for Austen’s literary significance, broadened her readership, and preserved artefacts vital to her legacy.  

After the talk, join us for tea and cake, chat about Austen history, and take the opportunity to pick up a signed copy of A New Jane Austen! 

Your ticket includes House entry, so you can also pop into the House to see some of the objects Juliette describes, including the topaz crosses which are currently on display in our exhibition Mansfield Park: Courting Controversy.  

Details: 

Date: Sunday 14 July  

Time: 2.30 – 4pm 

Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us 

Tickets: £15 

🍷 The event will include refreshments including tea or coffee and cake. Please let us know of any dietary requirements upon booking. 

🎫 This event ticket includes House entry. If you wish to visit the House after the talk, please be aware that last entry is at 4.30pm.