The Drawing Room at Muncaster Castle

The Tate Gallery was a vulnerable target during WW2.  Before the war broke out, plans had been drawn up for the safe-keeping of the Collection. The bulk of the artworks was dispatched in secrecy to three country houses accompanied by members of staff. One of the destinations was Muncaster Castle.  Works by Constable, Degas, Van Gogh and others were sent by train to Ravenglass, and then by lorry to Muncaster Castle. In his talk Dr Rob David will reveal the stories behind some of the priceless pictures which were safeguarded there.

Lecturer Dr Rob David is a Cumbrian writer and historian, and completed his PhD at Lancaster in British Culture and the Arctic. Subsequently he has written a number of articles and publications on historical incidents, and recently carried out considerable research on this secret wartime operation of art storage at Muncaster. He was President of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society from 2017 to 2020.