A Dream Come True: My First Talk at the V&A

Today’s post comes to you from the Muniment Room aka archive room, where I am currently surrounded by Alberta Sturges’ letters and diaries and feeling a little bit emotional.

Because this morning, the V&A Museum announced my upcoming talk:
An American Heiress in the Age of Elegance.

For those of you who are newer here, Alberta Sturges was a Chicago-born American heiress – one of the so-called “Dollar Princesses” – who crossed the Atlantic, married the George Montagu and later became the 9th Countess of Sandwich. She is also the central figure in my Master’s dissertation in English Country House Studies (which I completed with distinction — I still pinch myself!), and the woman whose archive has quietly taken over my life in the best possible way.

For the past several years I’ve been immersed in Alberta’s world through the Alberta Research Project*. I always hoped that one day I’d be able to share her story on a larger stage. The V&A has been very high on that private wish list.

The talk will explore Alberta’s journey from a privileged childhood in Chicago to belle époque Paris and glamorous Edwardian house parties; her interest in Hinduism; her sharp, sometimes very funny observations on society; and her developing eye for modern art. I’ll also be talking about her House of Worth gown — yes, the one recently discovered — underneath 17th century armour?!

I would absolutely LOVE as many of you to attend in person OR virtually.

Event details:

• Title: An American Heiress in the Age of Elegance

• Where: V&A South Kensington

• When: Monday 2nd March, 7pm (UK time)

• Format: In-person and livestream

• Replay: A recording will be sent to all ticket holders

Booking is open now for V&A Members, and opens to the public on the 26th January.

If Alberta’s story has captured your imagination through my writing here on Gilded Heiresses, it would mean the world to me to see some familiar names in the audience – whether you’re in London or watching from across the world.

You can find all the details and…

Thank you, as always, for cheering on Alberta and this slightly overwhelmed American Countess! xx Julie

* The Alberta Research Project is my effort, hugely supported by an outstanding team of virtual volunteers from around the world, to catalogue, transcribe and interpret Alberta Sturges Montagu’s surviving letters, diaries and papers, bringing this Chicago-born “Dollar Princess” and 9th Countess of Sandwich more fully into the historical record.