May has arrived, and what a few weeks it has been! There has been filming in Scotland, a House of Worth gown to collect from Hampton Court Palace, our very first textiles retreat at Mapperton, a state visit, a talk in Blandford Forum, and—somewhere in the middle of it all—a book finally going to print. I’m so glad to sit down and bring you up to speed.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· Filming at Dumfries House for The King’s Foundation

· Alberta’s House of Worth gown at Hampton Court Palace

· Our inaugural Textiles & Tapestries Retreat at Mapperton

· The latest Substack: a cookbook in a Dorset attic

· The West Room: our most ambitious restoration yet

· The Countess of Sandwich Society

· Speaking at the Corn Exchange, Blandford Forum

· King Charles’s state visit (and a few television moments)

· The book!

Let’s dive in!

Filming at Dumfries House

I took the train up to Scotland with Victoria, our series producer. The night before our shoot, we sat down with Stephen and Claire—our camera crew—to walk through the next day: call sheets, risk assessments, every beat we wanted to hit.

For anyone who hasn’t followed the story, Dumfries House is the great Adam-designed Palladian house in Ayrshire that the King famously stepped in to save in 2007, leading the consortium that bought the house and its irreplaceable Chippendale furniture before the contents were sold off and scattered. It is now home to The King’s Foundation, and the work being done there is genuinely remarkable.

We filmed the interiors, of course, but also some of the wonderful courses they run—textiles, farming, hospitality—and the whole estate was buzzing because the King himself was due to arrive the following week.

You could feel everyone gearing up for it!

If you’re a member of the Countess of Sandwich Society, then you’ve already seen a lot of behind the scenes about this!

If you’re not a member yet, it’s time to join and catch up!

Join the Society

The House of Worth gown at Hampton Court Palace

The moment we landed back in London, I went straight down to Mapperton for a single day, then turned around and headed up to Hampton Court Palace to collect Alberta’s House of Worth dress. The Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court, has been doing the most exquisite restoration and conservation work on it.

If you’ve followed Alberta’s story, you’ll know how much this gown means…and seeing it back in person, treated by some of the best textile conservators in the world, was beyond moving.

We filmed it! And I cannot wait for you to see the episode.

The Royal School of Needlework is, simply, outstanding.

Our inaugural Textiles & Tapestries Retreat

We have just wrapped our very first Textiles & Tapestries Retreat at Mapperton, and it could not have gone better. Twelve wonderful women joined us, totally sold out, and the weather was, against all odds, sensational throughout.

The big moment was the unveiling of the peacock tapestry. Emma Telford—the UK’s leading tapestry conservator—brought it down herself, and we placed it back into the West Room, where I think it will stay. Emma and I did a Q&A together when it was revealed, which was such a treat.

Over two days, Deborah Wilding from the Royal School of Needlework led the group in stitching a motif drawn from one of our 18th-century dresses, working in the coach house. We had breakfast in the dining room, a welcome dinner with Chef Joe, an evening at the local pub, and then a three-course farewell dinner that was, honestly, sensational. I taught yoga in the morning, the gardens were in full bloom, and we sent everyone home a little reluctantly.

A handful of places remain for our September retreat, where guests will stitch a motif drawn from Alberta’s House of Worth gown now on display in the house.

Join the Retreat

A new Substack: a cookbook in a Dorset attic

My latest Gilded Heiresses piece is up on Substack, and it’s one I’m rather proud of. It’s the story of a typed, clipped, very practical cookbook that sat in the Mapperton attic for nearly a century—and the American heiress turned Countess who once owned it.

It’s also a small sneak peek at one of the moments from the book.

Read it now

The West Room: our most ambitious restoration yet

Last week, I met with Malcolm in London to start putting the pieces together for the most ambitious heritage restoration we have ever undertaken at Mapperton: a complete redo of the West Room.

I’ve spent so many hours in that room with the textiles that it makes sense it would be the one. We’re talking hand-painted wallpaper, new damask linings, fresh silk on the duchesse brisée, and a colour palette I’m still falling in love with. I’ve also brought in another extraordinary collaborator (more on her very soon).

Things will start moving fast. By the end of May, I’ll be sharing exactly how this is going to come together—and a really clever way for you to be part of it. It is beyond exciting.

The Countess of Sandwich Society: pull up a chair

I built the Countess of Sandwich Society so that no matter where you are in the world, you have a seat at the table. It is completely free to join, and—I have to say—it is taking off in a way I didn’t quite see coming.

The latest post about it has just passed 300,000 views.

If you haven’t yet, come on in. The conversation is wonderful, and there is a lot in the diary for the months ahead.

Join the Society

Speaking at the Corn Exchange, Blandford Forum

I had the joy of speaking to a hundred people at the Corn Exchange in Blandford Forum—a beautiful 18th-century building designed by the Bastard brothers, the same brothers who built our staircase hall at Mapperton. (I do love a Dorset coincidence.)

We talked about Mapperton, the many restoration projects underway, and the YouTube channel. A lovely evening from start to finish.

King Charles’s state visit (and a few television moments)

The big news in late April was, of course, King Charles’s state visit to the United States. I was up bright and early on Monday the 27th to film with Sky News, and then later did a longer podcast with Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4’s Fourcast.

We covered the state visit itself and the wider story of the British monarchy in America.

The book (it’s time to preorder!)

I had twenty minutes to spare on the deadline, but Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton is officially at the printers. It is already a bestseller, and I am over the moon.

Here’s where I’m asking for your help: I’m trying to reach 3,000 pre-orders before publication day on 24th September.

Pre-orders genuinely make an enormous difference to how a book is stocked and noticed, so if you’ve been thinking about it, this is the moment.

You also receive a beautiful set of pre-order gifts—a Patron-only Q&A, a digital scrapbook, a signed bookplate, and more—when you complete the claim form.

The following link will take you to all the info you need, including how to order via independent bookstores and Amazon…so that you have a choice!

Preorder Now!

Thank you—truly—for being here. There is so much in motion right now, and knowing some of you will be reading the book, joining the Countess of Sandwich Society, and turning up to the next retreat is what makes any of it worth doing.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

I have a proper piece of news for you this week, and one I’ve been dying to share. I’ve written a book! And pre-order is open now!

It’s called Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton, and I still can’t quite believe it’s a real, finished thing. I’ll stop saying that eventually.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

• The book

• The two chapters on Alberta

• Pre-order gifts — yes, you get gifts!

• Publication day: 24th September 2026

Let’s dive in!

The book

The basics:

Secrets of an English Country House: A Year at Mapperton. Published by Quarto. Out on 24th September 2026.

It’s a full year at Mapperton—the house, the family, the collections, the garden, the archive, all of it—and the photographs are absolutely breathtaking. It is by far the biggest project I’ve ever finished, and I am so so pleased with how it’s turned out.

The button below will automatically send you to US retailers if you’re in the States, and UK retailers if you’re in the UK.

Preorder Now!

The two chapters on Alberta

If you’ve been around for a while, then you already know all about Alberta; she’s the American heiress who became the 9th Countess of Sandwich, and she’s been a huge part of my research for years.

She has two full chapters in the book.

The first is about the research itself: the archive, our wonderful volunteer team, and the Alberta AI Luke built from her own letters.

The second is about the things she left behind: her journals, her clothes, a small devotional book of pressed flowers and prayers, and a House of Worth gown that turned up in a place absolutely no one expected.

Those two chapters are, hands down, the parts of the book I’m most proud of.

Pre-order gifts (yes, you get gifts!)

I wanted pre-ordering to actually mean something for you. So here is what’s on offer if you order before 23rd September 2026 and then fill in the claim form.

If you’re already a Mapperton Live Patron:

• A live online Patron-only Q&A with me after publication

Each month from May to publication at the end of September, you’ll get a monthly digital gift, including:

• A digital scrapbook full of images that didn’t make the book

• A special signed, downloadable bookplate just for Patrons

• And more surprises that we’re still whipping up

If you’re not yet a Patron:

• Three free months of Mapperton Live at Hogarth level (level 3), starting on publication day

• A place in the draw for one of 100 spots in a live online Q&A with me

• A signed downloadable bookplate the minute you complete the form

• A Christmas card from Luke and me, posted to you in December

Preorder Now

Publication day: 24th September 2026

Save the date! I’ll be talking about the book quite a lot between now and then…I’m just so excited! But I wanted you to hear about it from me right away.

If you’ve been wanting to pick up a Mapperton book, this is the one. And if you know someone who would love it, please do forward this on.

Preorder Now

I really do mean this: thank you for being here, for reading, for showing up to the talks and the videos and everything in between. Knowing some of you will be reading this book is a huge part of why I kept writing it.

With love and gratitude,

Julie

What a few weeks it has been! Between finishing a book, graduating, escaping to Italy, and gathering the whole family around the Easter table, life has felt wonderfully full. There is so much to share with you, and I’m delighted to sit down and catch you up on everything.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

· A huge book announcement is coming…mark your calendars!

· Graduating with my Master’s in Country House Studies

· A trip to Italy with Malcolm for house planning and antique shopping

· New Substack essays on Gilded Age heiresses

· Easter at Mapperton with all four children

· Training for the Amsterdam marathon with Emma and Jack

Let’s dive in!

Mark your calendars: April 19

Last week, I had my final meeting at the publisher for the Mapperton illustrated book, and I can hardly contain my excitement. Malcolm, the stylist for the book, and I spent a good few hours there going through everything, and I’m now deep in the work of writing captions for all 300 photographs.

It’s been quite the slog, I won’t lie, but the book is looking so wonderful that every caption feels worth it.

I can’t say more just yet, but please mark your calendars: Sunday, April 19.

A huge announcement about the book is coming, and I cannot wait to share it with you.

A Master’s with Distinction

I am so thrilled to share that I have officially graduated with my Master’s in Country House Studies…and with Distinction!

It was one of those days that felt almost surreal: wearing the robe and the hat, hearing my name announced, and then seeing it written down with the little cross that denotes Distinction. I may have got a tiny bit emotional.

This degree has shaped so much of how I think about heritage, preservation, and the stories houses hold. If you’d like to see the moment, it’s all in a recent Mapperton Live video: “How Did This Happen? How Mapperton Changed My Life.”

Julie (and Malcolm!) in Italy

Malcolm and I also made a trip to Italy, which was equal parts productive and delicious. Malcolm, who helped design the entire house, came along as we tackled some big decisions: choosing the external paint colour for my Little Italian House (yes, it’s time for a repaint!), selecting proper terracotta tiles for the sitting room, and doing a bit of antique shopping along the way.

And of course, we ate extremely well: pizza, pasta, and some very good rosé.

You can watch it all unfold on the Julie in Italy channel, which has just gone live.

Busy writing on Substack

I’ve been particularly prolific on Substack lately. My newest essay, “The Night a 12-Year-Old American Heiress Watched Joan of Arc,” draws on Alberta’s extraordinary unpublished diaries kept from 1887 to at least 1900.

This is the first in a series exploring her remarkable record of a life lived at the very edge of history, and I think you are going to love following along.

I also published a wonderful piece on Edith Wharton, which has been doing really well.

If you haven’t read them yet, it’s well worth your time: two fascinating women, two very different windows into the Gilded Age.

Read about Alberta

Easter at Mapperton

Here in the UK, we’ve had Good Friday and Easter Monday off, which meant a proper long weekend. All four children were down at Mapperton, and we had a wonderful meal together in the dining room, which was made all the more entertaining by the fact that the Easter trail was in full swing just outside. There’s something rather lovely about a family lunch with the sound of children hunting for golden eggs in the background.

Training update

On a more personal note, I’ve been getting some good runs in with Emma. As you may remember, Emma, Jack, and I are training for the Amsterdam marathon in October, so the miles are starting to build. It’s wonderful to have a training partner, and even better when that partner is your daughter.

As always, thank you for reading and for being part of this journey. There is so much coming in the weeks ahead—the book announcement, new Substack series, and plenty more besides—and I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

I am writing this from the United States after one of the most extraordinary heritage trips Luke and I have ever taken. We were invited to speak at the inaugural Living History Natchez festival in Mississippi, and the entire experience reminded us just how powerful the love of historic houses can be.

It was a week full of restoration stories, passionate preservationists, historic homes, music, and Southern hospitality.

In this newsletter you will find:

• Our sunny stop in Fairhope, Alabama
• Arriving in Natchez and the historic house where we stayed
• A wonderful patron evening at Holly Hedges
• Our presentation on preserving Mapperton
• A standing ovation and the key to the city of Natchez
• Touring remarkable historic houses on the Natchez tour
• A magical recreation of the Jenny Lind concert of 1851
• A final visit to an inspiring restoration project

Let’s begin at the beginning…

Fairhope, Alabama: a perfect beginning

We flew from London to New Orleans and picked up a convertible Mustang, which felt like the only proper way to begin a road trip across the American South. (Luke always goes for a Mustang!)

Our first stop was Fairhope, Alabama. This was a place we had been wanting to visit ever since speaking in Alabama last year at the Wilcox Historical Society. Everyone we met there told us the same thing: y’ou must go to Fairhope!’

They were absolutely right.

Fairhope sits right on Mobile Bay and the moment we arrived we were greeted with sunshine, warm weather, and incredibly kind people. It was exactly the kind of place that invites you to slow down and enjoy being outside!

We walked along the waterfront, I did a 10K run to help fight the jet lag, and we enjoyed some wonderful farm-to-table meals. One highlight neither of us will forget was a strawberry shortcake baked Alaska that was flambéed right at the table. We had never seen anything like it!

Between runs, gym sessions, and a bit of writing time, it was the perfect way to ease into the trip before the real reason we had come to the United States.

Arriving in Natchez

From Fairhope we drove west to Natchez, Mississippi for Living History Natchez.

This was the inaugural year of the festival, organised by Laine and Kevin from the hit YouTube channel and Instagram account ‘@ourrestorationnation’ , and when they first contacted us several months ago we said YES immediately! Their passion for historic preservation aligns perfectly with what we believe in at Mapperton.

The founders of Living History Natchez kindly put us up in a beautiful historic house, Edelweiss, overlooking the Mississippi River. The house was built in the 1890s during the Gilded Age, which felt rather fitting considering how much of the architecture in Natchez dates to that same period.

Natchez is truly a town where history lives in the buildings. Walking through its streets you immediately feel that sense of continuity.

The Patron evening at Holly Hedges

The week began with a wonderful Patron party hosted by Tammy and Wes at their gorgeous historic house called Holly Hedges.

Nearly 50 patrons attended! And they were all passionate about historic houses and preservation. It was such a warm and welcoming evening. Guests arrived with glasses of fizz, and there was white wine, beer, soft drinks, and of course plenty of sweet tea.

The food was outstanding! Suzie and her team prepared a beautiful spread of canapés and Southern dishes, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and joyful.

This is the menu she put together:

• Zesty, Lemon Marinated Gulf Shrimp

• Mushroom Filo Tartlets

• Suzie’s Classic Deviled Eggs: savory, creamy filling 1/2 of the topped with green olive and 1/2 with capers

• Endive Cup with Bleu Cheese Mousse, Toasted Pecan, and 1/2 Grape

• Crisp Genoa Salami Cup with Brie Cheese, Chives, and Suzie’s Flowering Fig Jam

It was the perfect beginning to the week and gave us the chance to meet so many people who care deeply about historic houses.

Our presentation: Preserving England’s Finest Manor House, Mapperton

The next evening, Luke and I gave our presentation at the Natchez Convention Center.

More than 200 people attended (it was sold out!), which was incredibly humbling!

Our talk was called “Preserving England’s Finest Manor House,” and we shared the story of Mapperton across the centuries. We talked about the 1st Earl of Sandwich, the 4th Earl, and (of course) Alberta Sturges, whose life connects American and British history in such a fascinating way.

We also spoke about how we began documenting our restoration work during Covid through our YouTube channel Mapperton Live! and how that storytelling has helped build a global community of people who care about heritage.

During the presentation we discussed several of the projects currently underway at the estate:

• The conservation of the 18th century peacock tapestries
• The restoration of Alberta’s House of Worth dress
• The preservation of the 18th century Japanese ‘Tale of Genji’ screens
• The Mapperton Wildlands nature recovery project
• The care of the family’s coronation robes

The talk lasted about an hour. When we finished the audience stood up for a standing ovation, which was incredibly moving!

And of course there was the unexpected honour. The Mayor of Natchez presented Luke and me with the key to the city!

It was a moment we will never forget.

Meeting heritage lovers from across America

After the talk we held a meet-and-greet session, which had completely sold out.

More than 100 people attended, and it was such fun getting to meet everyone. People had travelled from all over the United States to attend Living History Natchez!

We were told that visitors from 44 different states were represented during the week, which shows just how much enthusiasm there is for heritage and historic houses.

Touring Natchez’s historic houses

One of the central events of Living History Natchez is the tour of homes.

More than a dozen historic houses were open to the public across two weekends. We were not able to visit them all, but we managed to tour 5 during our time there.

Two particularly memorable houses were Wigwam and Propinquity. The restoration work happening inside these homes is extraordinary.

The homeowners are doing meticulous work to preserve the structure of the buildings and the stories that live inside them. You could see how much care and dedication goes into maintaining these historic properties!

Even the houses we did not manage to visit had long queues of people waiting outside to tour them.

The Jenny Lind concert

One of the most magical moments of the week was the recreation of a historic concert by Jenny Lind.

Jenny Lind was the famous Swedish opera singer often called the “Swedish Nightingale.” She performed in Natchez in March 1851 during her famous American tour.

This year marked the 175th anniversary of that visit, and the festival recreated the concert.

Earlier that day, we had visited Propinquity where the owners showed us something remarkable. They had preserved the original programme from the 1851 Jenny Lind concert!

Seeing that programme and then attending the recreated concert later that evening felt like stepping back into history.

Afterwards we rode in a horse drawn carriage through the streets of Natchez to an after drinks gathering where guests enjoyed canapés, macarons, and another glass of fizz. It was beautifully organised and such a special way to end the evening.

A television interview on historic houses

While we were in the region, I was also invited to appear on a morning television programme, Great Day Louisiana, to talk about the Gilded Age and historic houses!

One of the fascinating things about New Orleans is how many historic buildings have survived. Unlike New York, which demolished many of its Gilded Age mansions during waves of redevelopment, New Orleans preserved much of its architectural heritage.

That slower pace of development meant that today you can still see entire neighbourhoods filled with historic buildings.

A remarkable restoration at Hope Farm

Before leaving Natchez, we visited one more extraordinary project.

Laine and Kevin, the co-founders of Living History Natchez, are restoring a historic house called Hope Farm. The property suffered a devastating fire in 2023.

Rather than walk away, they began rebuilding it using reclaimed wood and traditional materials. The project is ambitious and SO inspiring.

Eventually the house will become a bed and breakfast, welcoming visitors into a restored historic home.

Seeing the work underway was a powerful reminder that preservation often requires resilience as much as passion.

Why Natchez matters

One of the things that struck us most during the week was the enthusiasm of the visitors.

At several houses we saw long lines of people waiting to tour. Clearly Living History Natchez has tapped into something meaningful!

Historic houses tell stories about architecture, families, and communities, and events like this bring those stories back to life.

If you love heritage and restoration, I cannot recommend Natchez strongly enough. It is truly one of the most fascinating historic towns in America.

Follow the story

If you would like to follow the projects behind this new festival, you can find them here:

• Living History Natchez on Instagram
• Our Restoration Nation on Instagram
• And of course on Mapperton Live! and American Countess YouTube channels...because you KNOW that we filmed it all!

Thank you, as always, for being part of this community and for supporting the preservation of historic places.

Xx Julie

Did you catch the major announcement via the American Countess YouTube channel this weekend?

I have officially launched my most ambitious project to date:

I’ve been working on this behind the scenes for months, and I’m beyond excited that it’s officially here!

Ever since launching the American Countess channel and diving into research on Britain’s stately homes, Gilded Age history, and conservation at Mapperton, the projects and the platforms I’m building have grown.

So I wanted one place to house it all and to celebrate the support of the Patrons (now Society Members!) who have made it all happen.

The Countess of Sandwich Society website currently holds a digital archive of the high-quality films we’ve produced, which feature incredible country houses as they are right now: the families that live in them; the collections they keep; the history they represent.

Members are the beating heart of the Society. Their contributions via the Patreon platform go completely to production. They are truly helping to preserve history for future generations.

So, the them, I send my biggest heartfelt thank you! I’m SO grateful.

And if you’re not a Member yet, now is the time join. You’ll get a beautiful Member certificate and a place on the Member wall on the website. Inside of the Member platform, you’ll have access to behind-the-scenes videos and info, extra content, and invites to Member events. And, when we launch the conversation prize, YOU will get the deciding votes.

You’ll also know that you’re part of preserving history that is slowly starting to fade.

I would absolutely love you to join.

Here’s to a new chapter!

Join the Countess of Sandwich Society

Xx Julie

The past few weeks have felt SO full. It’s the kind of stretch where history, travel, filming, and family life all seem to braid together at once. From Paris to Claydon House and my birthday (!!) to the final push on the Mapperton book, there has been a great deal quietly unfolding behind the scenes.

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

• Filming at Claydon House for the American Countess channel
• Walking in Alberta’s footsteps in Paris and Versailles
• A Fire Horse birthday celebration with all four children
• Behind the scenes of the Mapperton illustrated book shoot
• Our upcoming Natchez visit and ticket reminder
• A very special launch arriving 7 March

Let’s dive in!

My talk at the Victoria and Albert Museum

As I’m writing this, I JUST finished giving a talk on Alberta at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This felt like the big leagues, and I was SO nervous!

I spent weeks putting this talk together, which focused on Alberta’s views of marriage in a time when almost all Dollar Princesses were entering into transactional romances.

I covered Alberta’s letters, of course! And I read a lot of her quotes from the time when she was considering whether or not she’d marry George.

Thanks SO much to everyone who came to support me. I’m still buzzing from it, and I hope to do more talks like this in the future!

Filming at Claydon House

One of last week’s true milestones was filming: we went to our very first National Trust property! We’ve been trying to go to National Trust houses for years…it was incredible and Claydon House is EXTRAORDINARY.

Filming there was one of those days that reminds me why I love this work so much. The setting, the stories, the atmosphere: all of it came together beautifully. We filmed a very special piece for the American Countess YouTube channel, and I cannot wait to share what is coming.

Do make sure you are subscribed, because something rather exciting will be launching on 7 March, and you will not want to miss it.

Subscribe to American Countess

In Alberta’s footsteps through Paris and Versailles

From Italy to Paris and back again…and what a meaningful journey it was!

While in Paris, I retraced Alberta’s steps using her January 1890 diary entry, written when she was just twelve years old. Walking where she walked, and reading her words on site, always brings history into startling focus.

Versailles was, as ever, extraordinary. Visiting the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet through Alberta’s eyes was one of those moments where past and present seem to briefly overlap.

It is precisely why this work continues to feel so alive. I wrote about it on my Substack, so be sure that you subscribe over there, because more Alberta travel is coming!

Gilded Heiresses Substack

A Fire Horse birthday

This year I properly celebrated my birthday on 17 February, which was also the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse!

We marked the occasion with a Chinese family dinner of course, and for the first time in a while all four children were around the table together, which felt rather special.

There is something about these full-table moments that becomes more meaningful every year.

A very joyful way to begin the Fire Horse year.

Behind the scenes of the Mapperton book

We’ve just completed the final major photography day for the forthcoming Mapperton illustrated book…nearly thirteen months after our very first shoot day!

Principal photographer Jessica and stylist Malcolm were both here, and we focused on capturing the final interiors, portraits, and winter light moments needed for the book.

It was one of those long, slightly exhausting, but deeply satisfying days. The book will contain around 300 photographs, and we are currently on track to announce it officially in April.

More soon, but it is starting to feel very real.

Current wellbeing favourites

As many of you know, I always try to weave in small practices that help keep energy steady through very full seasons.

Right now my newest enthusiasm is the sauna followed by cold immersion. And I have to say, I am completely converted. I am also very excited about my new Garmin, which is now faithfully tracking spinning, yoga, and running.

Small rhythms, but they make a remarkable difference.

Natchez, we are nearly on our way!

A quick reminder that Luke and I will be in Natchez, Mississippi beginning 11 March (with the Patron gathering on 10 March).

We cannot wait to see so many of you there. Our meet and greet is now sold out, but there are still some tickets remaining for our main presentation on Wednesday evening, along with a full week of wonderful events across the town.

Book tickets

P.S. If you’re planning to come to the Patron Party on the 10th and haven’t received an email with information about it, please email Shelly: shelly@mapperton.com. (We switched email servers and fear that we may have missed some confirmations during the down time!)

As ever, thank you for following along on this slightly mad and always fascinating journey through history, houses, and the occasional airport dash.

Very much looking forward to sharing what comes next.

With love,
Julie xx

It feels as though this talk has crept up on me…and now it is almost here.

I’ve been at my computer for DAYS perfecting ever part of it, and I’d LOVE for you to watch it (in person or online).

On 2 March at 7pm UK time (2pm in New York), I’ll be at the Victoria and Albert Museum speaking all about Alberta and the story that continues to unfold through her letters and diaries.

Every time I return to her papers, I find something new…and this lecture includes discoveries I have not shared publicly before.

If you would like to join me, there are two options:

In-person tickets: You can buy them here.

Virtual Tickets: You can buy them here.

I would absolutely love to know if you are coming! Do let me know below so that I can watch for your name on the list.

It has been such a joy preparing this talk, and I cannot wait to share these newly transcribed moments from Alberta’s own words with you.

With love,
Julie ✨

The last couple of weeks have been the kind of busy that happens mostly behind the scenes: research, conversations, planning, and moments that don’t always shout for attention, but always shape what’s coming next. Even so, there are some lovely things to share with you.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:

• The release of our Drumlanrig Castle episode

• The first “At the Archive Table” session

• Recent Substack essays and voice notes

• Tickets are now available for my upcoming V&A talk (in-person & virtual)

• An exclusive guided visit to Buckingham Palace

• Returning to training and preparing for a February half marathon

Let’s dive in!

Drumlanrig is live!

I’m so pleased that episode one at Drumlanrig Castle is now live.

Filming with Duke Richard and Lord Walter was a real highlight! Not only is the scale and beauty of the house and estate incredible, but the warmth and generosity we were shown throughout our time there blew us away. Drumlanrig feels like a place that is both monumental and lived-in, and I hope that comes across in the episode.

If you haven’t watched yet, I’d love for you to take a moment to do so. It’s one of those houses that lingers with you (and the comments are all 5-stars!).

At the archive table

On Sunday, 1 February, I hosted my first “At the Archive Table” session on my Gilded Heiresses substack, and it couldn’t have gone better.

We talked about practical, approachable ways to begin organising a family archive, whether that’s papers passed down from grandparents, documents from your own life, or something you’re consciously building for your children.

There was a wonderful mix of practical questions and thoughtful reflections, and it confirmed for me just how hungry people are for guidance around preserving their own histories.

This is something I’ll be continuing, and I’m very glad to have opened the conversation. So tune in next month!

Watch Now

Life on Substack

Substack has been particularly lively lately. Alongside new essays, I’ve been sharing voice notes, including one recorded ahead of a rather special visit this week.

(Hint: the King lives there…sometimes!)

If you enjoy the quieter, more reflective side of the work—archives, fashion history, research notes, and personal observations—you’ll find plenty to explore there.

I have MANY new projects in the works over there that will bring you straight into the lives of gilded heiresses. And, from February on, subscribers there will get the new Gilded Heiress videos before they drop on YouTube.

Subscribe now

A visit to Buckingham Palace

Last week, I visited Buckingham Palace for an exclusive guided tour of the East Wing. It’s an area few people ever get to see in depth, and it was everything I could have hoped for and more!

As photography was prohibited, I’ve left a voice note on Substack describing the interiors and why this visit felt particularly meaningful at this point in my work.

Listen here:

Gilded Heiresses

A Guided Walk Through the East Wing of Buckingham Palace (by ear, not by lens)

Earlier today, I stepped inside the East Wing of Buckingham Palace on a guided tour — and the moment I came back out into the daylight, I did something rather different…

Listen now

3 months ago · 34 likes · 5 comments · Julie Montagu

My Upcoming Talk at the V&A

I’m so looking forward to my upcoming talk at the V&A, An American Heiress in the Age of Elegance. This lecture grows out of my Master’s research into Luke’s great-grandmother, Alberta — an extraordinary American heiress who became the 9th Countess of Sandwich. I’ll be sharing her remarkable story, her world, her collection, and the recently rediscovered House of Worth dress she owned. I can’t wait to welcome many of you in person and online. Full details and tickets are in the links below.

Book Virtual Tickets

Book In-Person Tickets

Training again

On a more personal note, I’m properly back into training again. Alongside running, I’ve returned to strength training, spinning, and my rather intense handstand-and-back-bending yoga classes.

My plan is to run a half marathon at the end of February, as part of building back toward longer distances and of course before the Amsterdam marathon with Emma and Jack.

As always, thank you for reading and for being here. Even when things feel quieter on the surface, there’s a lot unfolding underneath, and I’m so grateful to be able to share this journey with you.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

We’ve just returned from our annual January pause, which is a tradition that Luke and I have kept for years now! It feels like the right moment to sit down, catch our breath, and write to you properly.

We were away longer than usual this time, travelling with all four children, and returning home with full hearts, tired limbs, and rather a lot of news. Some of it is deeply personal, some very exciting, and some that hints at where American Countess is heading next!

Here’s what I’ll be sharing in this newsletter:

• A rare family trip with all four children
• An unforgettable flight home!
• A new series: At the Archive Desk
• Extraordinary connection to Alberta’s American friends
• A major filming breakthrough (and a patron-only reveal)
• Our return to America!
• Marathon training, spring sowing, and signs of the season turning
• What’s coming next for filming, research, and the Mapperton book

Let’s dive in.

We’ve been in Austria

We’ve just returned from our annual January retreat to one of our favourite places: Jagdhof in Austria. Christmas and the turn of the New Year can be intense in ways that creep up on you, especially when work, travel, and family all collide, so each year we make a conscious decision to pause.

This year felt particularly special because we brought all four children with us! They’d visited when they were younger, but this was the first time they were old enough to really enjoy it ALL: the spa, the snow, the stillness.

Seeing them all bundled up in their ski gear was one of those rare moments that feels like time briefly holds its breath! (They grow quickly, but they’re SO fun as adults!)

Nestor got in to Oxford!!

While we were flying back from Austria, something extraordinary happened.

Our youngest, Nestor, had been waiting to hear back from the University of Oxford after two days of interviews earlier this winter. He knew that Tuesday the 13th was decision day, but we were just about to take off when his phone buzzed.

We weren’t seated together, so he quite literally leapt across the aisle to open the email with us.

He’d been accepted!

What followed still makes me emotional: the entire cabin began to clap. Strangers smiling, cheering, sharing in that moment of joy. It was one of those beautiful reminders of how collective and generous people can be.

We are so proud of him, and deeply grateful for that memory.

At the Archive Desk: a new monthly series

I’m also very excited to share something new that I’ve been quietly working on.

At the beginning of every month, I’ll be publishing a Substack series called At the Archive Desk. It grew directly out of the Alberta Research Project, which I’ve now been leading for over two and a half years, and from the response to my recent newsletter about conserving and caring for personal letters and diaries.

Each month, I’ll be sharing what’s happening behind the scenes in the archive: how we preserve and interpret historic material, what we’re learning, and how these practices can be applied to caring for our own family histories.

You can read the full introduction over on Substack, and I hope it becomes something many of you enjoy returning to.

Read it now

Alberta’s uncanny connection to the Lusitania

My most recent Substack post also explores Dead Wake by Erik Larson and the sinking of the Lusitania…and once again, history revealed one of those moments that stops you in your tracks!

The largest family aboard the Lusitania, who tragically all perished, were close friends of Alberta’s family. Their daughter was named Alberta after her, and she was her godchild.

These moments—when research threads unexpectedly knot together—never stop humbling me.

History is intimate. It is totally relational, and it is often heartbreakingly close.

Read it here

A patron-only reveal

There’s something significant happening on the filming front…though I can’t quite announce it publicly just yet.

Very soon, I’ll be filming at an extraordinary National Trust house. Gaining filming access through the National Trust is no small thing, and we’re hopeful this marks the beginning of a deeper relationship that will open doors to many more historic houses in the future.

Patrons will receive a video message from me this week revealing exactly where we’re going.

If you’re part of the Patreon community, keep an eye out! And if you’ve been considering joining, this is very much part of what your support enables.

Join us on Patreaon

We’re going back to America

I’m delighted to confirm that we are officially coming back to the United States.

We’ll be attending Natchez Living History this spring, and we’d absolutely love to see you there. Patrons (either American Countess or Mapperton) are invited to a Patron-only drinks gathering on the 10th of March, followed by our presentation on the 11th, a meet-and-greet. Be sure to purchase tickets here OR become a Patron!

It promises to be a very special few days of history, conversation, and community.

Will you be there?! Comment below and let me know!

Leave a comment

Running shoes, seeds, and spring beginnings

On a more personal note, I’ve signed up for my next marathon: Amsterdam, on 18 October. (I’m a marathon runner now?!)

It sold out within a week, and we were lucky to secure places. I’ll be running again with Emma and Jack, but this time, the entire family will be there to cheer us on.

Training has officially resumed. I ran 12k yesterday and plan to run a solo half marathon by the end of February.

Meanwhile, spring is quietly stirring in the Kitchen Garden at Mapperton. I’ve ordered over 100 packets of seeds—vegetables, herbs, and cutting flowers—and we’ll begin sowing this week, starting with chillies and red peppers.

The polytunnel frame is already up, with the cover going on next week. I can’t wait for my first full year of gardening!

Looking ahead

For those of you following all the info about the Mapperton book: the title is chosen, the cover is chosen, and now we’re in the fine-detail stage! It’s that careful, meticulous work that brings something lasting into being.

As always, thank you for reading, for supporting, and for caring about these stories as deeply as I do. None of this happens without you.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

It’s been a quieter couple of weeks on the filming front due to the holidays and end-of-year wrap-ups. Christmas itself was a gentle one, spent mostly in London, which is a change for us… and a rather welcome pause.

As we turn toward a new year, I’ve been thinking about what feels most meaningful to share right now. I don’t have a grand announcement, but I’m thinking about something practical, lasting, and quietly powerful.

And it’s something many of you have asked me about over the years.

So for this newsletter, I want to focus on one idea:

Making 2026 the year you begin preserving and transcribing the letters and papers in your care.

Here’s what I’ll be sharing:

• Why personal letters matter more than we realise
• A simple starter kit for preserving family papers
• How to scan and transcribe letters at home
• How we work with Alberta’s letters as an example
• A nudge to begin!

Let’s dive in.

A Quiet Inheritance: The Letters We Keep

So many of you have written to tell me about letters tucked away in drawers, trunks, and boxes. There is a lot of correspondence between grandparents, diaries kept during wartime, notes written in careful handwriting that no one has read in decades.

As a historian (I can officially say that now!) I get so excited about this. These are first-hand historical records. They carry voice, rhythm, opinion, emotion. This is the texture of a life as it was lived!

But they are also fragile. Ink fades. Paper yellows. Context is forgotten. And once that happens, so much meaning is lost.

And let me tell you: you don’t need to be an archivist to begin caring for them!

(A quick note here about archival work, since many people comment on this! The new, science-backed practice for handling historical documents is NOT to wear gloves! The gloves can actually damage documents, especially parchment. It turns out that the natural oils on our hands help to preserve documents!)

Preserving Papers 101: A Starter Kit

This isn’t info for professional archives, so it won’t be too hard to do this or get hold of these tools. I’ve designed this starter kit for families, not institutions.

What to gather first

You don’t need everything at once. Start with (I have links here as well!):

• Acid-free archival boxes or folders (labelled clearly)

• Archival sleeves or envelopes for particularly fragile letters

• Pencils only or archive pens for labelling

• A clean, dry workspace with good light

If you can’t find archival supplies immediately, don’t let that stop you. The most important thing is handling letters gently and keeping them dry, flat, and away from light.

Scanning your Letters (without expensive equipment)

We scan all of Alberta’s letters, but that doesn’t mean you need a professional scanner.

You can use:

• A flatbed scanner

• Or a high-quality phone scanning app (such as CamScanner, which I love)

The key things to remember:

• Photograph or scan letters flat, without bending

• Capture every page, including envelopes

• Save boxfiles with clear names (e.g. “AS/PERS/1”) (translation: Alberta Sturges, Personal, Boxfile 1)

• Save folders under the boxfile (example above) with clear names (e.g. “UK_to_USA_1”)

• Save letters under the corresponding folders with clear names (e.g. 1926Letter08)

• Back them up! Keep your files in different places… trust me

Digital copies protect the originals and make transcription far easier.

Transcribing: Slow, Careful, and Surprisingly Intimate

Transcription is where letters truly come alive.

When we transcribe Alberta’s letters, we do so line by line, preserving:

• Original spelling

• Punctuation (or lack of it)

• Crossed-out words

• Insertions and margins

This isn’t about polishing or changing the text; you can do that later in a different document if you’d like to. What’s important is to faithfully recording what is there.

A basic transcription format includes:

• The writer

• The recipient

• The date (or estimated date)

• The location

• The full text of the letter

Even transcribing one letter can transform how you understand a person.

Here’s an example of how we format that on the page:

Letter from Alberta Sturges Montagu to Jojo [Josephine MacLeod] 21 April 1926, 1/14 pages, transcribed from digital image of handwritten letter, original held in the 2023 Alberta Sturges Research Project, 1926Letter08.docx, Mapperton House, Beaminster, West Dorset, England DT8 3NR: transcribed LM, April 2025.

HINCHINGBROOKE

HUNTINGDON

1. April 21.1926

2. Darling Jojo:

3. Your last letter before the arrival

4. of the Brewsters came yesterday.

5. I can imagine your large party

6. nine days on the Ganges bank.

7. Here the spring persists in

8. spite of east winds and gloom,

9. such a sharing. The daffodils &

10. primroses have gone and we

11. are now having tulips forget me

[Page 1 of 14]

Can AI help? Yes… but Thoughtfully

Used carefully, AI can be a helpful tool for first-pass transcription, especially if handwriting is clear. It can save time and reduce the intimidation of a blank page.

But—and this is important—AI should assist, not replace, human judgement. Always:

• Check every word

• Compare against the original image

• Correct errors and note uncertainties

Think of it as a draft assistant, not an authority. And you should always have the final say as to what is accurate. Remember that AI can make things up!

How We Do This with Alberta’s Letters

This is exactly how the Alberta letters are handled:

• Scanned carefully

• Transcribed in full by the team of amazing volunteers

• Annotated with names, places, and context

• Stored physically and digitally

What began as a family archive has become a research collection simply because someone took the time to begin.

And I want this for you, too!

My Nudge To You for 2026

If you’re looking for a meaningful intention for the year ahead, let this be permission to start small with creating a family archive.

Family history and legacy isn’t just for aristocrats! Imagine the work you do now meaning so much to future generations… and perhaps even research for a dissertation!

You don’t need to finish… it might never be finished. You just need to begin.

What you preserve now may one day help someone understand their history—or themselves—a little more clearly.

With love and gratitude,
Xx Julie

I’m kicking off 2026 with a YouTube livestream TONIGHT!

I hope that you’ll join me starting at 8pm UK time (that’s 3pm in New York and noon in Los Angeles) for a discussion about 2025’s highlights (there were so many!) and BIG changes happening in 2026.

Here’s the link…I hope to see you in a few hours!

Join the livestream

Xx, Julie

I hope you’ve had a restful Christmas and are finding your way gently into these strange, liminal days between years, when time feels a little softer and reflection comes more easily.

I want to let you know that I’ll be going live on YouTube this weekend, and I’d love for you to join me.

American Countess LIVE

Saturday 3 January at 8.00pm

Straight after our YouTube live for Mapperton Live, I’ll be switching over to the American Countess channel for a special end-of-year live session. We’ll be talking about:

• The year just gone:filming, writing, research, and travel

• The stories that resonated most deeply in 2025

• What’s coming next for American Countess

• Your questions, curiosities, and comments

I’ll also be teasing something we’ve been quietly building behind the scenes: a new project rooted in legacy, living history, and community.

It won’t be launching for a few weeks, but this felt like the right moment to begin opening the door.

(Patrons already know about it AND have access to it!)

This livestream is simply a chance to connect—to say thank you, to look back, and to look forward together.

I hope to see you there.

Saturday 3 January at 8.00pm

Set Your Reminder Here

With love and gratitude,
Julie

It’s been a quieter couple of weeks on the filming front as I’ve largely spent my time in meetings, planning sessions, and end-of-year wrap-ups at Mapperton. BUT, creatively, it has been an extraordinary fortnight. Substack has been buzzing, the Gilded Heiresses series is growing faster than ever, and there have been some wonderful moments with historians, podcasters, and (very soon!) the Royal School of Needlework.

Here’s what I’ll be sharing in this newsletter:

• The Vanderbilt Tiara: our most-read Substack yet
• A Substack bestseller Christmas party
• Two podcast episodes with a couple of big names
• Dropping off the Worth dress at Hampton Court Palace
• Seeds, seasons, and planning for the kitchen garden
• A brand-new historic house episode: Kirtlington Park

Let’s dive in.

The Vanderbilt Tiara: my biggest Substack yet

Over on The Gilded Heiresses, I published something rather special: an exclusive interview with a descendant of the Vanderbilt family, centred on the famous Vanderbilt Tiara—an heirloom sparkling with history, myth, and all the audacity of America’s last Dollar Princesses.

It has now been read nearly 6,000 times, and the response has been astonishing!

More than 134 new subscribers joined from that one post alone. It’s clear how deeply people are drawn to these stories of transatlantic ambition and the women whose jewels, trunks, and marriages reshaped high society on both sides of the ocean.

Read all about it!

A Substack Christmas party for bestsellers

Another highlight: I attended the Substack Bestsellers Christmas Party in London!

It was such a joy and a chance to celebrate this growing community of writers and readers. I met some absolutely incredible people, and I’m more excited than ever about the future of Substack.

And just a reminder: if you join the American Countess Patreon at Alberta or above, you will get a completely free subscription to my Substack.

Patreon is where you’ll get early access to American Countess episodes and behind-the-scenes videos and blogs about filming, etc.

(And the American Countess Patreon is changing a bit in the new year with more of a focus on conservation and restoration of Britain’s country houses and their incredible history. The current Patrons have already had a sneak peek at it!)

Substack is where I share my research to do with the Gilded Heiresses, including letters and diary entries by Alberta.

To part of both, join Patreon on one of the top 3 tiers. Or, to just read about all of the Gilded Heiress research, subscribe to my Substack!

Join Patreon

Join Substack

On air: discussing Gilded Age alliances and an enduring Anglo-American friendship

I was also invited onto the podcast Kings & Queens & Dastardly Things, hosted by historian Kate Williams and royal biographer Robert Hardman. We recorded two episodes, exploring:

• Why Americans, despite declaring independence in 1776, maintained such a deep fascination with the British monarchy

• How Gilded Age heiresses transformed diplomatic and social ties between the two nations

• And yes—we even touched on Wallis Simpson, whose story still fascinates us all

I’ll share links as soon as the episodes are released.

Off to the Royal School of Needlework

I’m travelling to Hampton Court Palace (today!) to deliver Alberta’s Worth dress to the Royal School of Needlework.

It’s an important step in the conservation journey of her extraordinary gown, and I’m thrilled to be starting this process with their expert team.

More soon…and I promise photos.

Seeds, seasons, and preparation in the kitchen garden

Although the new polytunnel isn’t being erected until the 29th and 30th of this month, the planning has already begun. I’ve ordered around 90 packets of seeds, which is a mix of beautiful vegetables and cutting flowers.

A few of the varieties:

• Drumstick Scabious - Sternkugel

• Nigella - Miss Jekyll Rose

• Mantovano Florence (Bulbing) Fennel

• Burpees Golden Zucchini Courgette

• Poppy - White Frills

It’s going to be a very colourful year ahead.

A new Historic House episode: Kirtlington Park

If you haven’t yet seen it, the latest Historic House feature is now live on the American Countess YouTube channel: Kirtlington Park.

It’s a Georgian gem with one of the most elegant façades we’ve filmed this year, and I can’t wait for you to explore it with me.

Watch the episode here:

Looking ahead

Between Substack milestones, new research, and the ongoing work at Mapperton, this season feels full of momentum. And as always, I’m very grateful to each of you — whether you read, watch, comment, or quietly follow along. Your support makes all of this possible.

More stories, more houses, more history soon.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

The last few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind, and I’m writing this newsletter with a grateful heart (and rather tired legs…more on that later). It has been one of those months where everything seems to happen at once, from restoration work and filming to talks, travel, and the most extraordinary family adventure in Florence.

Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to.

• A busy month at Mapperton: Japanese screens update, kitchen garden overhaul, and Alberta’s ‘House of Worth’ dress in Country Life

• The US Ambassador’s dinner at Guildhall

• Nestor’s first appearance on my YouTube channel

• The extraordinary story of my accidental marathon in Florence

• A major new Patreon-only project focused on legacy and preservation

Here we go….

Restoration, Research, and Winter Work in the Garden

It’s been a wonderfully busy period at Mapperton. Thanks to so many of you who donated, we said ‘see you later’ to the Japanese screens. They’re now safely in their temporary home, being lovingly conserved by the experts, and I’ll be showing you more of them very soon. We are ‘oh so close’ to the hitting the fundraising goal! You all have been so instrumental in making sure that these special, historical pieces are preserved for future generations so if you’re keen to a part of this restoration story, you can buy the screens a coffee here.

We’ve also been hard at work in the kitchen garden, where we have begun a major overhaul. New compost bins have been built and a rather large (30 foot!) polytunnel is being delivered today. We are trying to create a productive, beautiful, nature-led space that: supports the Coach House café and events, boosts wildlife and soil health, fits with the Wildlands ethos and still feels lovely and inspiring for visitors.

There was also a very special moment for Alberta’s House of Worth dress: the Country Life photo shoot for their “Treasures” feature. The piece will be published soon, and I can’t wait for you to see how beautifully they’ve captured its story.

And speaking of Alberta and the era she witnessed, I’ve just written about The Edwardians exhibition at Buckingham Palace: think Alexandra’s glittering gold coronation dress, a Fabergé cigarette case from a royal love story, and the tiara that ended up on our coins. For fellow Gilded Age obsessives, this one is a treat. Have a read over on my Gilded Heiresses substack!

And in the midst of everything, I met with several wonderful colleagues from the V&A, as I’ll be giving a major talk there in March 2026. It will take place in the evening for a live audience of around 250 people, with an online option available as well. More details to come — but it’s going to be a very special event.

A Night with the U.S. Ambassador

Another highlight was the US Ambassador’s dinner at Guildhall!

It was a spectacular evening held in one of London’s most historic settings. It was an honour to attend, and celebrate the special relationship between the US and UK. Plus, it was a chance to get dressed up! Luke in black tie and I wore a 10-year old Reiss dress topped with an Alaia jacket found at the Frock Me Vintage Fair the previous week. You know how much I love to up-cycle!

Italy, Snow, Sea…

I then dashed to Italy to visit Nestor on his gap year. He’s been staying at my Little Italian House, and we had the best time! We had snow in the hills, a walk by the sea, flea-market rummaging, and plenty of pasta.

There’s a vlog now live on my Julie in Italy YouTube channel with Nestor’s first-ever appearance. He even starred in my ‘Pretend Italian Cooking Show’. Do give it a watch if you haven’t seen it yet.

Watch the episode

My Accidental Marathon

And then…Florence. AHHHHH!!! Get ready for story time!

So, here’s the breakdown of what actually happened.

The plan was to run a 10k striving for a PB (personal best) and then cheer on Emma and Jack who WERE actually running the marathon. I queued for what I thought was the correct starting pen (having confirmed in Italian!). A helpful fellow runner pushed my pace a bit, and I hit 10k in 52 minutes — a personal best — but we were nowhere near the Duomo (where both the 10k and marathon were to end).

It wasn’t the 10k at all.
It was the marathon!

I had no gels, no water, no carb loading… and all I’d had for breakfast was Emma’s leftover oats and a coffee. At 14km I finally asked what was happening, and my accidental running partner simply said, “This is the marathon race.”

At this point, I decided to keep going until 21k (half marathon) as that had always been a goal of mine. Thank goodness the pit stops — every 5km — were filled with salt water, hot tea, bananas, fruit, cake and water. Without those fuels, I wouldn’t have been able to continue. But I did. A bit more. Then a bit more… By 30km in, my body was rather tired but I kept going. And by the time I somehow made it to 40km the crowds were shouting “Dai, dai, dai, Julie!” and something in me shifted. I knew I could finish.

The moment that will stay with me forever: hearing Jack, Emma, and Nestor screaming my name (Let’s Go MOM!) at the barriers. Nestor jumped the fence, put his arm around me, and ran the final stretch with me. I crossed the line sobbing, in total disbelief, with a medal around my neck.

The family times, for the record:

• Jack: 3:21 (he was striving for 3:30! - WOW Jack!)

• Emma: 3:54 (wanted under 4:20! - Amazing Emma!)

• Me: 5:05 — for a marathon I didn’t mean to run!

It was wild, emotional, chaotic, unforgettable…and one of the most memorable days of my life. I’m still tearing up as I type this!

A Brand-New Project for Patrons Only

And lastly, this month we also launched something very big and very special over on Patreon: a project that explores legacy, preservation, and the living history behind the houses and stories we share.

It is something we’ve been quietly working on for months, and it belongs first and foremost to the patrons who make so much of this work possible.

Patrons now have exclusive early access, and they’ll be helping to shape it over the coming weeks. It won’t be released to the wider public until the new year, and we are deeply grateful for the support that allows projects like this to exist.

If you’d like to join us — and be part of the early stages of this new chapter — you can become a Patron today.

Become a Patron

Thankful!

Thank you, as always, for reading, watching, and supporting everything we do — from the quiet restoration work to the big public moments to the unexpected adventures (planned or otherwise!).

Wishing you a peaceful start to December,
Xx Julie

The past few weeks have swept by in a glorious blur of filming, research, travel, and late-night writing sessions. There is so much happening behind the scenes at the moment, and I’m thrilled to share the highlights with you.

In this newsletter, I’ll be sharing:
• A new royal documentary
• Big steps forward for Season 5
• A special honour from Historic Houses
• A new National Trust project
• Substack news and restoration before / after photos
• Exhibitions, vintage fashion, and marathon training

Let’s begin!

A royal documentary

Earlier this month, I spent a day filming for a documentary about the abdication of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.

It was my first time speaking on camera specifically as a Gilded Age historian, and diving deeper into the cultural and political atmosphere of the 1930s has been completely absorbing. I was thrilled to do an interview as an official historian!

And I’m doing more work on Gilded Age history on my Substack.

I write all about period — the glamour, the tension, the shifting social landscape — and I’d love for you to join me there!

It’s simple, just go to gildedheiresses.com and subscribe! All of the proceeds go to research, archive work, and travel so that I can write accurate (and hopefully entertaining!) pieces about our favourite Dollar Princesses.

Subscribe to Gilded Heiresses

Season 5: Where we are now

We are well into filming Season 5 of American Countess, and this season already feels particularly rich. We’ve been on the road across England, Wales, and Scotland, capturing stories from houses that are very different from one another.

This season has already taken us from the idyllic charm of The Crooked House to the classical beauty of Kirtlington Park, the lakeside tranquillity of Combermere Abbey, and the dramatic, windswept romance of Gwrych Castle in North Wales.

We’ve been inside the grand rooms of Knowsley Hall, explored the wild hills and vast estate of Drumlanrig Castle in the Scottish Borders, and we’ll soon be heading to Powderham Castle, which promises to be a very special visit.

Each house has offered something completely different: a new perspective, a new strand of history, or a moment that makes us stop and say, “This is why we tell these stories.”

And then there’s the news I’ve been bursting to share…

Our first National Trust house

After a great deal of patience and behind-the-scenes coordination, we’ve secured our very first National Trust house for American Countess!

It’s a remarkable place — one of those estates that takes your breath away the moment you see it — and we’ll begin filming early next year.

I can’t reveal which house it is yet, but our Patron community will, of course, hear the announcement first.

(By the way…something really new and big is coming to Patreon. I’d LOVE for you to join the community!)

Join Patreon

A very special honour

Luke and I were deeply honoured to receive the Historic Houses Diversification Award 2025 at the Annual General Meeting in London!

The award recognises creative and entrepreneurial approaches to sustaining historic houses, and Mapperton was celebrated for our digital work, particularly the Mapperton Live! YouTube channel, which now has more than 185,000 subscribers. (Can you believe it?!)

It means so much to us because the channel directly supports essential repairs and restoration at Mapperton, and has sparked new initiatives such as Grand Historic Tours and the Alberta Research AI Project, which brings thousands of Alberta’s letters into the light.

The AGM itself was a joy: more than a thousand custodians gathered, many of whom we’ve filmed with over the years. The evening before, we attended a fascinating panel at Christie’s on festivals and heritage, which left us both inspired…and quite certain that we won’t be running a festival anytime soon!

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the Mapperton Live! channel.

Watch Mapperton Live!

Substack: fashion, heiresses, and a live conversation

Thank you to everyone who joined my Substack Live conversation with fashion historian Elizabeth Block. We spoke about Gilded Age fashion, Worth gowns, and Elizabeth’s forthcoming book. The replay is now available for paid subscribers.

And a warm welcome to the many new readers who found me through my recent post, “The Houses the Gilded Heiresses Lived In,” which unexpectedly went viral!

I’m thrilled so many of you are diving into these extraordinary women’s stories.

You can find everything — new essays, voice notes, and archival discoveries — at gildedheiresses.com.

Read about the Gilded Heiresses

Tapestry Triumph & A New Mission: The Japanese Screens

I’m thrilled to share the incredible before-and-after photos of the Peacock Tapestry — the transformation is astonishing! Huge thanks to Emma Telford and her team, and to all of you who donated to make this restoration possible. You’ve helped bring a beautiful piece of Mapperton’s history back to life.

Next up: the rare 18th-century Japanese Genji-type screens! They’re being collected on Wednesday for conservation, and we’re already over 50% funded. With your help, we can reach the finish line and ensure these treasures are properly preserved. Every bit counts!

Donate here

Behind the scenes: exhibitions, vintage fashion & running

On the home front, I’ve kept up my running: never less than 5K, and often between 10–15K when I can.

I’m training for the Florence, Italy 10K later this month, before cheering Emma and Jack on in the full marathon. Their training is going so well!

Thank you, as always, for reading, watching, and being part of this remarkable community. Whether you’re here for the history, the houses, the women whose stories we uncover, or simply the joy of learning something new. I’m so grateful you’re here!

With love and gratitude,
Xx Julie

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Dear wonderful readers,

It’s been a couple weeks of castles, compost, and creative milestones…the sort of whirlwind that reminds me why I adore this work so much. Between filming, writing, gardening, and a few truly exciting book developments, there’s a lot to share!

In this newsletter, I’ll discuss:
• Filming with the Duke at Drumlanrig Castle
• Progress on the Mapperton Illustrated Book
• Gardening through the seasons (and going “no dig”)
• A special limited edition for Patrons
• Archival discoveries: Alberta, Helena Zimmerman, and a transatlantic friendship

Let’s get into it!

Filming in the Scottish Borders

Last week we travelled north by train to Drumlanrig Castle, in the breathtaking hills of Dumfriesshire. It’s home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The family and team could not have been more generous, and we spent three unforgettable days filming across their magnificent estate.

We were welcomed into the castle itself (and even stayed there for three nights!), exploring its sweeping staircases, rooftop views, and extraordinary collections. We filmed with both the Duke and his son, the Earl of Dalkeith (as well as their wonderful dog, who was just as much a part of the production!).

The team at Drumlanrig made us feel instantly at home. Special thanks go to Betty Cook, who cooked the most delicious meals for us all.

Patrons, you’ll find two special behind-the-scenes videos from this trip coming for you on Patreon SOON!

Watch on Patreon → Click here

Mapperton Illustrated: the book in progress

The Mapperton Illustrated Book is officially nearing completion! I recently had one of my final photo shoots with Malcolm and Jessica, and we caught that perfect moment of late autumn, when the light over the valley turns gold.

Today I’m in London for a meeting with my publisher, Frances Lincoln - part of the Quarto group, to go over the design stages. I can hardly contain my excitement as =his project has been a true labour of love, and we’re preparing something very special for our most loyal supporters.

In addition to the usual run, there will be a limited edition, available first to our Mapperton Live! and American Countess Patrons, and then to my newsletter readers and YouTube subscribers -but once it sells out…. It will be a collectible piece — a keepsake that celebrates the beauty, history, and daily life at Mapperton.

Stay tuned… more details coming soon!

Gardening through the seasons

My gardening course (Gardening Through the Seasons with Sissinghurst Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of the year. I’ve already learned so much about propagation and planning for long-term garden health.

At Mapperton, the kitchen garden is bursting into life. We’re building new compost bins and moving toward a no-dig approach, which is both sustainable and enriching for the soil. Alongside the vegetables, I’m also planting cutting flowers. The goal is to have the garden supply the Mapperton Coach House Café with fresh seasonal produce and flowers throughout the year.

Meanwhile, I’ve just pulled all the lavender from the orangery leading down to the Fountain Court! It’s time for a little breathing space there. I haven’t yet decided what will replace it…perhaps something bold, perhaps something delicate. For now, I’m letting the garden rest and speak.

From Yale to the Gilded Heiresses

Another thrilling piece of news: I’ve been invited to submit a book proposal to Yale University Press about Alberta, our original American Countess. The meeting was so inspiring. They’re keen on the project, though of course nothing is certain yet. Still, it’s a wonderful step forward for Alberta’s story and all the archival work we’ve been doing. (As ever, huge thank you to the members of the Alberta Research Project!)

For those following along on The Gilded Heiresses Substack, you’ll soon see new transcriptions and research notes, including letters that show Alberta’s deep friendships across Europe.

One of my recent favourites is a letter she wrote in 1901 from Tanderagee Castle in Ireland to her dear friend Sara Bull. In it, she writes about visiting her “sweet friend Helena Manchester” - none other than Helena Zimmerman, an American heiress , - who would later marry the Duke of Manchester and become Duchess. Alberta describes her with warmth and admiration, proud to see another American woman “living up to requirements which are the result of years of training.”

It’s a glimpse into that rare sisterhood among the Gilded Age heiresses: women bound by circumstance but full of intelligence, spirit, and resilience.

You can read the full transcription soon on The Gilded Heiresses.

Subscribe to Gilded Heiresses

Looking ahead

This week I’m heading back down to Mapperton to begin filming a new royal documentary about the abdication of Edward VIII. I can’t share too much yet, but it’s one of the most fascinating royal stories of the 20th century.

As always, I’m so grateful for your ongoing support. Whether you’re watching on YouTube, reading along here, or part of our wonderful community on Patreon.

If you haven’t yet joined as a Patron, this is the perfect time: you’ll get early access to the Mapperton Illustrated Book, behind-the-scenes videos, and an exclusive window into everything we’re building for 2025 and 2026.

Join us on Patreon → Click Here

Thank you, as ever, for helping us preserve Britain’s living history — one story, one garden, and one glorious house at a time.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

The leaves are falling fast, the skies are turning grey, and things are, of course, wonderfully busy here! From castle visits and vlogs to tulip orders and secret projects, we’ve entered that beautiful seasonal rhythm of cosy mornings and full schedules.

Here’s what I’m sharing in this newsletter:

• Season 5 of American Countess has officially begun!
• A look back at this year’s Grand Historic Tour
• A major Patreon launch is coming soon…
• Mapperton Live! is just 4 patrons away from 700
• Gilded Heiresses is now a Substack Bestseller
• Gardening in the rain and tulip dreams
• A seaside holiday and getting back to running

Season 5 is here!

I’m delighted to share that we are now officially in Season 5 of American Countess!

From now through next summer, we’ll be releasing one new historic house episode every month—plus weekly videos featuring vlogs, travel stories, garden life, recipes, and more.

As I’ve mentioned before, we lost some of key funding when new budgets for business around the UK were introduced in April. So we’ve had to change things up a bit. We didn’t want to sacrifice quality or getting you 12 houses a year, so we’ve added in more lifestyle blogs and spaced complete episodes out.

We’re kicking off with one of our most ambitious seasons yet, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who’s helped us get here.

Subscribe to YouTube

Grand Historic Tour 2025: unforgettable

Our third Grand Historic Tour welcomed twelve wonderful guests from America for five days of truly extraordinary experiences. I’ve included some photos from the week below—it really was a tour to remember.

Here’s a little of what we got up to:

• A warm welcome at Mapperton with tea, cake, and dinner with Luke and me
• Yoga outside (the sun was shining!) followed by garden, rewilding, and house tours
• A private visit to Sherborne Castle, where the owner, Mariah Wingfield Digby gave the tour and even cooked us lunch
• A trip to Powderham Castle, complete with a house and grounds tour and lunch with the Earl of Devon
• A full day along the Jurassic Coast, including fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, antique shopping, and classic fish & chips
• Our special American Heiress Supper, using recipes from Alberta’s own 120 year old cookbook with engraved silver from Alberta’s collection
• A black-tie dinner on the final night, a concert in the library and impeccable service from Dan the Butler (who knew everyone’s drink order before they asked!)

If you’re curious to see more, I’ll be sharing extra images and reflections over on Patreon and Substack this month.

And if you’d like to join us next year…there are just a couple of spots left for October 2026!

Reserve your spot

(or email sam@mapperton.com!)

Something BIG is coming to Patreon…

Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly working on something truly special behind the scenes—a new direction that combines everything I love about American Countess: storytelling, history, digital preservation, and community.

Launching around Thanksgiving, this new piece to our ever-growing puzzle will be available exclusively to patrons for the first few months.

It’s all about building a lasting legacy for the country houses we visit, preserving their stories, and celebrating the essential role of our patrons in helping keep this work alive.

It really is going to be HUGE! So, if you’re already a patron, THANK YOU! You’ll get access before anyone else.

And if you’ve yet to join as a patron, this is your chance to get in before this big launch and to be a part of preserving history.

(All patrons will be credited within this new thing!)

I can’t wait to share more.

Become a patron and be part of it from the start

Join Patreon

Mapperton Live: just 4 patrons away from 700!

Speaking of patrons, our Mapperton Live! Patreon community is just 4 patrons away from hitting 700—and when we reach that milestone, we’ll be releasing a brand new digital scrapbook to every patron!

This next volume includes never-before-seen documents and photographs from Mapperton’s archives, tracing the house’s life through war, restoration, and family history.

Here’s a little preview:

Over on Mapperton Live, patrons get:
• Exclusive vlogs + behind-the-scenes blogs
• Access to live Q&As
• The chance to submit questions for our “Spill the Tea” series
• Full access to the growing digital archive

Help us reach our goal and unlock the next scrapbook for all! (You’ll also get a certificate stating that you’re one of the first 700 patrons!)

Join Mapperton Live on Patreon

Join Mapperton Live!

Gilded Heiresses is now a Substack Best Seller!

I’m thrilled to announce that Gilded Heiresses is now officially a Substack Best Seller!

If you’re new to Substack: it’s a platform where I publish exclusive posts, essays, and recordings several times a week. It’s kind of like a combo of a blog, a YouTube channel, a podcast, and Instagram. It’s pretty cool!

At Gilded Heiresses, you’ll find:

In-depth articles on the Gilded Age
Research notes from my travels (re-tracing the heiresses steps)
Audio recordings of Alberta’s letters
Essays on lineage, inheritance, fashion, and power

You can check it out simply by visiting gildedheiresses.com.

There is free content on there, and there’s also exclusive content that you’ll need a subscription to access.

All American Countess patrons at Alberta tier and above receive free access to Gilded Heiresses as part of their membership!

(If you’ve joined Patreon and haven’t been added to Substack yet, please email my assistant..she’ll sort you out: shelly@mapperton.com)

Plus, Substack has the option to join a special tier, which I’m calling The 400. You can read about that here. When you join The 400, you get a personal video from me, access to special salon gatherings, your name in the Gilded Heiresses book (which will live in Mapperton for history to find later!), and so many other special things. I hope you’ll join!

Join the Alberta tier on Patreon to get double the content for only one subscription!

Gardening through the rain

Rain or shine, my Gardening through the Seasons course continues—and I’m still learning so much.

(As I send you this, it’s pouring absolute BUCKETS…and I have gardening class today!)

The Italianate Garden is my next focus, with tulip planning in full swing (800 bulbs!). We’re creating something truly spectacular for next spring, and I’ll be sharing planting photos soon!

Running again and seaside fossil breaks

After a long stretch recovering from my ankle injury, I’m finally running again! I’m building back slowly, but it feels so good to be out and moving.

And after the Grand Historic Tour, we had a quick little holiday, where I got in some weightlifting, swimming, spa time, and plenty of inspiration for the months ahead. We’ve been so full on the last few months that rest was definitely needed…though we did catch up on a lot of digital work poolside!

Thank you, as always, for being here. Your encouragement, curiosity, and support—whether on Patreon, Substack, YouTube, or just by reading these newsletters—means the world to me.

With love and gratitude,
Julie

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Dear wonderful readers,

The past couple of weeks have been a joyful blur of trains, cameras, tulips, textiles, and a very long run around Mapperton. I’ve been filming, writing, planning tours, and plotting big garden changes…and I’m thrilled to share what’s been happening behind the scenes.

In this newsletter, I’ll cover:

• Kicking off season 5 of American Countess!

• Filming at Knowsley Hall (plus a patron-exclusive Q&A)

• A very big house announcement coming to patrons first

• Mapperton coffee-table book: final photos and final edits

• Gilded Heiresses Substack + The 400

• A personal update: running again & revising for the Life in the UK test

Season 5 is here!

In a previous newsletter, I let you know that we had a bit of a hiccup with funding for American Countess.

In the UK, companies make their new budgets starting in April, and everyone was feeling the pinch this year…because we lost some important help when it comes to being able to produce this incredible series.

As we figured out our next move (did it mean cutting down to 6 houses a year? Did we need to scrap the show all together?!), I had a great time creating more vlogs and personal content, and I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed them.

And now, with the help of our patrons, who have truly become production partners, we’ve come out the other side!

We’ve been able to budget for 12 houses in season 5!

And it all kicked off this past weekend with the premier: The Crooked House!

Let me know what you thought of it!

And if you’d like to help ensure that we can meet our production goals, please consider joining Patreon. All proceeds truly go toward producing amazing content for you and creating a digital archive for these historic houses!

Join the American Countess Patreon

Lights, camera…Knowsley Hall

We’ve just wrapped a wonderfully full shoot at Knowsley Hall with Lord and Lady Derby.

Two packed days, countless rooms, and unexpected treasures, including the most extraordinary iron-clad muniment room and a downstairs world that felt straight out of Downton Abbey.

Patron perk: we recorded a separate 15-minute sit-down where Lord and Lady Derby answered questions submitted by our American Countess patrons. Keep an eye on Patreon for the exclusive Q&A.

AND, going forward with Season 5, we’ve got some special things up our sleeve JUST for patrons!

A delicious teaser for patrons…

We’ve been given the green light to film at one of our biggest houses to date. It’s a dream location you may recognise from a top period drama.

I’ll share the name and details with patrons first (soon!).

If you’d like early access to these announcements and extras, now’s the perfect time to join us on Patreon.

Garden news: tulips and a feature

I’ve given my first interview about the future of the gardens (especially the kitchen garden) for a national magazine, out March/April.

And…I’ve ordered 800 tulip bulbs for spring splendour!

Expect Black Parrot, Orange Princess, crisp whites, and the beautifully striped Gavota threading their way through pots and borders.

I can’t wait to see Fountain Court and the Italianate Garden in full bloom.

Mapperton coffee-table book: nearly there

My final text was submitted last week! Hurrah! And we have one last photography day on the 21st October to capture the last images before we put it all to bed.

I’ll share pre-order details as soon as they’re ready!

Gilded Heiresses on Substack (+ The 400)

All my Gilded Age research, voice notes, and essays are now live at gildedheiresses.com.

This includes amazing NEW Alberta discovers, weekly essays on articles on Gilded Age history, AND I’m recording Alberta’s letters as little podcasts (the most recent audio letter: Mayfair, May 1906 - Alberta’s nesting at 12 Bruton Street, just days away from giving birth to her firstborn… when in sweeps another American heiress - Mrs. Freddie Guest (Amy Phipps) - whose husband is a cousin of Winston Churchill. She’s just as pregnant, wildly wealthy, and utterly miserable. You won’t want to miss this!

And recently, I posted there about the TWO Alberta dresses I’ve just found…and one was a Worth dress that had me crying I was so excited!

The founding tier—The 400—includes a personal video from me when you join, plus behind-the-scenes goodies.

Your support funds research trips (including a Paris day-dash in December), archives, and deeper storytelling. There will always be some free posts, but paid readers see everything.

I’d LOVE for you to join me over there!

Join the Gilded Heiresses Substack

From my notebook

Running shoes: back on! I managed a 10K around Mapperton this week (ankle behaving).

Studying: I’ve started revising for the Life in the UK Test to get my British passport (finally!)—wish me luck!

Hinchingbrooke House: I travelled up north last week (I’m President of the Huntingdonshire Local History Society) to present awards celebrating brilliant heritage projects each year.

Thank you, as ever, for reading, cheering, and supporting this work. Whether on Patreon, Substack, tours, or right here in your inbox.

There’s so much more to come (including that very big house reveal for patrons!).

With love and gratitude,
Julie

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Dear wonderful readers,

September has swept in with the energy of a storm (quite literally, thanks to Storm Amy!), but we’re full steam ahead here at American Countess filming, writing, travelling, planning, and even planting tulips.

In this newsletter, I’ll discuss:
• A historic Worth dress rediscovered
• Behind the scenes at the Mapperton Plant Fair
• The Gilded Heiress Substack publication!
• V&A evening for Marie Antoinette
• A week in my life (new YouTube vlog!)
• Garden plans and a tulip takeover
• Upcoming filming at Knowsley Hall
• Five weeks post-injury and back to training

There’s a lot to cover, so we’ll get straight into it.

Alberta’s Worth dress…found!

One of the most exciting moments this month was captured on camera! (And I started crying!)

I found Alberta’s dress from the House of Worth.

We’ll be posting the video soon on the Mapperton Live! channel. (The patrons have already seen it!)

I’ve also recorded a little voice note sharing my excitement and the history behind it, and I’m currently in touch with a textile conservator to explore how best to care for it. (That voicenote was shared on the new Gilded Heiresses Substack, which I’ll tell you about in a moment!)

This feels like such a full-circle moment—especially with the House of Worth exhibition closing this month in Paris. I had almost literally just returned from the exhibition, so the timing felt incredible and strange!

Alberta absolutely wore Worth gowns, and this find adds a remarkable thread to her story.

Filming, storms, and spectacular food

This month’s Plant & Garden Fair at Mapperton happened during our first named storm of the season—Storm Amy—but somehow, we escaped the worst of it! The wind and rain held off, and the day turned out to be a huge success.

Highlights:
• Some of the best café numbers all season
• Gorgeous meals from our talented chef Christine (see photos on @MappertonCoachHouse on Instagram)
• A huge team effort to make it happen
• A very special TV crew filming our secret series on the same day!

We’ll share more about that series soon…

Substack + The 400 = pure joy

I’ve had so much fun lately sending out personal videos to The 400, designing the upcoming 400 Book (which will live in the muniment room at Mapperton), and planning a research trip to Paris to trace Alberta’s steps.

Substack, where I’m now posting everything and anything to do with Gilded Heiresses, has taken off like a rocket ship! It’s a community of the curious: history lovers, heritage supporters, and those who want a closer look into the lives of the gilded heiresses and beyond.

The 400 is the founding tier, and everyone who joins gets a personal video from me, where I give you a little behind-the-scenes view of whatever I happen to be working on the moment, and thank you personally for joining.

The revenue from Substack is going toward further research, like a 1-day trip to Paris in December for some incredible research that I can’t wait to tell you about.

You can find everything at gildedheiresses.com.

I’ll be posting some free content over there, but to see everything, you’ll have to join as a paid subscriber, which is a win/win: you’ll be supporting exciting research AND getting exclusive content!

V&A night: Marie Antoinette and fashion history

I was recently invited to an intimate evening at the V&A Museum to celebrate the new Marie Antoinette exhibition.

As always, I found myself wondering if Alberta had connections to the pieces on display. It was an extraordinary evening, and I’ll be writing more about it soon over on Substack.

New video: A Week in My Life

Many of the lovely American Countess patrons kept asking me to spill my secrets and routines, as I seem to take on so much.

Well, their wish was my command! I spent a week filming everything I did and giving tips on how I manage it, including my supplement routine and organisation tricks.

I’ve just uploaded a new vlog on my YouTube channel:

Watch “A Week in My Life” on American Countess

It includes a full mix of filming, writing, café life, fitness, and more. You’ll find the full description under the video, too.

It’s a LONG one!

My gardening course begins

I’ve just begun a new year-long course called Gardening Through the Seasons, taught under the expert guidance of Troy Scott Smith, head gardener at Sissinghurst.

And I’ve decided to do a tulip transformation for the gardens at Mapperton.

We’re replacing the traditional planting in our eight large terracotta pots in Fountain Court with a striking mix of:

• Tulip Black Parrot
• Tulip Orange Princess

And in 17 other pots around the Italianate Garden, we’ll plant:

• Tulipa Gavota
• Tulip Hakuun (a clean, crisp white)

This is the first time we’ve done this, and I cannot wait to see them in full bloom next spring.

Upcoming filming: Knowsley Hall

Next week, I’ll be filming a new historic house episode at Knowsley Hall, home of Lord and Lady Derby.

If you’re a Patron, you’ll be the first to hear more and see behind the scenes. (If not, perhaps now’s the time to join us and find out where we’re heading next!)

Become a Patron

Five weeks post-injury and back on my feet

After spraining my ankle while running in France (five weeks ago now!), I’m nearly back to running. I’ve been staying active with strength training, yoga, spinning, and plenty of acupuncture to help speed the recovery. Fingers crossed I’ll be running again this week.

Thank you, as always, for following along, and for helping us bring these stories, houses, gardens, and histories to life. Whether you’re reading here, joining us on Patreon, or watching from afar, I’m so grateful you’re part of this journey.

And…I have a secret: there’s a BIG change coming to American Countess. Stay tuned!

With love and gratitude,
Julie

We’re back from holiday, and as always, straight into the whirlwind! From flea market treasures to finishing the Mapperton book, launching The 400, and preparing to film in Paris, there’s so much to share this month.

In this edition, you’ll find:
• The Gilded Heiresses launch (and The 400!)
• Countess Corner goes Italian
• Sprained ankles, spinning, and future races
• Mapperton book: almost finished!
• Tapestry filming with Emma Telford
• A fashion pilgrimage to Paris
• A new gardening course begins

Before we get going….notice anything new?

If this newsletter looks a bit different, that’s because it is!

We’ve moved our regular newsletters over Substack. This won’t mean anything different for you…unless you want it to!

You’ll continue to get these newsletters right to your inbox as usual. But, if you want to go back and read old newsletters (starting with this one), you’ll be able to visit the archives at: americancountess.substack.com.

There’s a nice little About page there if you want extra reading!

Introducing… The Gilded Heiresses and The 400

It’s here! I’m so excited to finally launch our brand-new site: The Gilded Heiresses.

It’s an online platform where I’m publishing articles, vlogs, interviews, and research, all to do with the Gilded Age.

And with it, I’ve introduced something special: The 400—our nod to the original “who’s who” list of New York society.

But ours is a little different: it’s for those curious, generous, history-loving souls who want to go deeper with us. You can join The 400 as one of the founding subscribers here:

Join here

Treasures from the Italian flea markets

Because we drove to France and Italy this summer, I was able to bring back some incredible pieces from local antique and flea markets, and I’ll be sharing them in a special Italian-themed Countess Corner collection soon!

The Countess Corner has done so well recently! Thank you for all your support!

I’ve sold so many treasures that I need to keep restocking. I’ll be filming a new vlog this week to show you what’s coming. I’m especially excited about this latest batch… stay tuned!

A sprained ankle in France (and future running plans)

While on a long run in France, I managed to sprain my ankle—not from twisting, but simply from the steep incline! I didn’t realise how bad it was until I got back.

But I’ve been wearing a compression sleeve, doing lots of yoga, and I’m still lifting weights (yes, I packed dumbbells for the trip!).

Spinning and strength training have both been fine, and I’m slowly easing back into running.

What’s next?
• Jack (who ran the Milan marathon) has just signed up for Florence
• Emma is running it too!
• I’ll be doing the 10k (hopefully!)
• And next year, I’ve got my eye on a half marathon in Rome...

Mapperton book: final section coming in!

This week, I’ll be submitting the final sections of the Mapperton coffee table book to my editor at Frances Lincoln.

There are four main sections in the book: two are complete, and I’ve just finished the third and nearly all of the fourth.

I’ll have a couple of weeks (until mid-September) to tighten everything up before we go into final editing. I’m so proud of how it’s coming together!

Filming with Emma Telford

On Monday, I’m heading to Hereford to film with Emma Telford, who’s been restoring Mapperton’s Peacock Tapestry.

It’s such an important part of our story, and it will also feature in the upcoming Mapperton TV series.

I’ll be filming an update for those of you supporting on Buy Me a Coffee as well—so watch for that soon!

A flying visit to Paris for fashion history

On Tuesday, I’m off to Paris—just for the day—to visit the House of Worth exhibition at the Petit Palais before it closes. Worth, of course, was one of Alberta’s preferred designers, so this is both research and a personal pilgrimage.

I’ll also be filming a vlog for American Countess, and I’m so looking forward to sharing what I discover.

(P.S. fun fact: it takes less time to get from London to Paris than from London to Mapperton by train!)

Gardening through the seasons

Next week, I begin something I’ve been dreaming about: a year-long course called Gardening Through the Seasons.

As I begin to take on more responsibility for Mapperton’s gardens—especially the kitchen garden—I’m thrilled to deepen my knowledge. I’ll be sharing updates with you throughout the year, and I can’t wait to see where it leads.

With love and gratitude,
Julie