Midday Modern Conversation on Mulberry Trees

Event Information

In this special live edition of Midday Modern Conversations, mulberry expert Dr Peter Coles will speak to our Historic Houses Senior Manager John Collins about mulberry trees and in particular our own historic mulberry tree in the centre of our garden, which is the last living remnant of the garden’s origin as a 17th century orchard. After their conversation, members of the live virtual audience will be invited to ask Peter their own questions about mulberry trees. Ever wanted to know how long they live? What's the difference between a black and a white mulberry? Come find out.

In March 2021 Hogarth’s House began a monthly virtual video series called Midday Modern Conversations, inspired by Hogarth's print 'A Midnight Modern Conversation.' The team speak to specialists and experts on a range of intriguing topics. To see other videos in the series, visit www.hogarthshouse.org/adult-learning.

Contributors

Peter Coles - Peter is the editor and principal researcher at Morus Londinium, a project to document, preserve and raise awareness of London’s mulberry tree heritage, which he helped to set up. Hosted by the Conservation Foundation, the project has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Peter is also a member of the Festival’s Steering Group and one of the four founders of the Urban Tree Festival.

John Collins - John is the Historic Houses Senior Manager for Hounslow Council and has looked after Hogarth’s House and its collections for 10 years. After a decade of telling people about the role the tree played in the lives of the residents of the House. John is looking forward to learning more about the history of Mulberry Tree’s and their place in our ecology today.

Hogarth’s House

Located in Chiswick, Hogarth's House is a historic house and former home of the 18th century artist William Hogarth. In the garden is a 350-year-old mulberry tree, the last remaining tree from the garden’s origin as a 17th century walled orchard. We are owned and operated by the London Borough of Hounslow and are undergoing a National Lottery Heritage Fund redevelopment project called Hogarth's Mulberry Garden Project.