An open Doors event will offer visitors a chance to see what lies inside Flintshire’s ‘hidden gem’ library.
Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden is taking part in Open Doors 2024, which takes place on September 14.
Visitors are invited to explore the history, collections and architecture of the UK’s only Prime Ministerial Library. It is also a rare example of a residential Library, having 26 bedrooms on site.
Alexandra Foulds, Archivist at Gladstone’s Library, said: “This is an opportunity to see some of the highlights of Gladstone’s Library’s printed collections and archives, have a tour of our Reading Rooms, and go behind the scenes in our strongrooms.
“This year’s event will focus on the early years of Gladstone’s Library. We’ll explore the foundation of the Library by William Gladstone in 1894 and what it looked like during his lifetime, the construction of our current building as the national monument to Gladstone after his death, and early visitors to the Library. We’ll discuss Gladstone as a lifelong reader and book-lover, his vision for the Library, and how this is implemented today.”
The Open Doors scheme is Wales’ annual contribution to the European Heritage Days initiative. It is organised country-wide by CADW.