Cultural
Resources of Britain
VaCIE-VCCS exchange delegates will find most of their time taken up with observing classes, talking to instructors, and examining the similarities and differences of our educational systems. However, on the weekends and in the evenings you'll have some free time and these institutions might be of interest.
Britain's cultural resources are staggering in richness and depth because of the heritage of its component states (England, Scotland, Wales, & Northern Ireland) but also because of its pre-eminence in world affairs. Its cultural strengths have included literature, theatre, and to some extent painting, but its assets have been greatly enhanced by being the ultimate collector nation. Art, antiquities, and historical objects have flowed into the country from Europe and around the globe, as British explorers, archeologists, and aficionados have back mummies, Chinese vases, Indian sculpture, and miscellaneous artifacts. While London contains many of the greatest cultural institutions and is home to 20% of the population, resources are distributed across the country. Here are a noteworthy few.
The British Museum. One the world's great collections is housed in this institution which was the inspiration for the Smithsonian. Its Reading Room was a second home for generations of intellectuals, including Karl Marx, who wrote some of his great works here. The Museum got a bit down at the heels but has been refurbished. A separate British Library was created, thus expanding space, and galleries have been refurbished. Outstanding Egyptian collection.
The British Library. Their equivalent of our Library of Congress, this modern structure is famously disliked by Prince Charles, critic of modern architecture, but I rather like it. Its display areas include classic works such as the Gutenberg Bible.
Treasure
Houses of Britain. Ten of the greatest country houses, some of
which might better be
called palaces, in various locations around England. Blenheim Palace was
built by the Duke of Marlborough, the great defender of the realm in
the wars with Louis XIV. Castle Howard will be familiar to anyone who
watched Brideshead Revisited, based on the E. M. Forster novel. At
right is Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, home of the Duke of Devonshire.
The National Gallery. One of the world's great general art museums, comparable to the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Right on Trafalgar Square with the famous statue of Lord Nelson, the general who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.
The
Tate Gallery. A great collection of British art, this too outgrew
its facility, and now
has four locations. The Tate Britain is at its original location in
Westminster, while the modern collection has moved over to the redesigned
Bankside Power Station. A branch museum is in Liverpool and the watercolor
collection is in Cornwall. Probably the world's best collection of Turner,
including many early paintings, as well as many artworks by Constable,
Gainsborough, and others.
The City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh contains the historic Edinburgh Castle, the royal residence of Holyroodhouse, St. Giles' Cathedral, and perhaps Britain's best collection of Georgian architecture. Two art museums are adjacent the monument to Sir Walter Scott, and he Royal Mile connects the current and former royal palaces. See the Real Player video at this site.
its
patron saint and sited in the far southwest where he founded a monastery. It
is still a functioning church and the adjacent Bishop's Palace is well worth
seeing, though in ruins. The cathedral is host to a nine-day classical music
festival in May and June. 
May 26, 2003. Comments to ccowden@nvcc.edu
