Jane Austen's gossipy secrets exposed close to Tonbridge!

Gossipy letters from Jane Austen, Lord Nelson’s letter to his

mistress and an anonymous note warning parliament of the gunpowder

plot are just some of the national treasures that will be available

for viewing in a major new history centre.

Building work is now underway for the new Kent History Centre

and library, which will be purpose built to protect and display

these and many other documents, photographs, images, maps and

records in carefully controlled conditions to make sure they

survive for future generations.

The letters from Jane Austen are to her niece Fanny Knight and

talk of Fanny’s suitors, about Jane’s novels and about Jane’s

declining health in the year of her death in 1817. 

Lord

Nelson’s letter to his mistress dates from 1804 and was written on

his flagship The Victory a year before the Battle of

Trafalgar.  The letter alerting Lord Mounteagle to the

gunpowder plot urges him to find ’some excuse to shift of youer

attendance at parleament’ but the author of the letter remains a

mystery and has been a subject of great debate.

The new centre in Maidstone will be well worth the short trip from Tonbridge. It will house around 14 kilometres of historic

material relating to Kent and dating back to 699 AD. There will

also be a community history area, archive search room, digital

studio and a large space for displays and events.

Other gems that will be stored in the new building include what

is believed to be the oldest document in any local record office -

a grant of immunity from public taxation from Wihtred, King of Kent

- and the Journals of Sir Jeffrey Amherst 1759 that include the

battle plan to win the Anglo/ French war over Canada.

Historian David Starkey is looking forward to the new

project. “Everyone in Kent should be proud of our county, its rich heritage

and the important role it has played in the development of this

country... and of course it has a matchless collection of local

records," he said.

“I am delighted that Kent will at long last have a new centre

where its history can be celebrated and its unique archive

collections can be cared for and made accessible to more

people”

Visitors to the centre will be able to enjoy improved library

and IT services, Wifi access and there will be well-equipped

meeting rooms.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said: "There will be opportunities for everyone to

visit to trace their family history, enjoy an improved range of

books and IT services, take part in events and enjoy the shop and

refreshments area, all within a major new building, which brings

together the County Archives, County Central Library and Maidstone

Town Library."

As part of this scheme, Bouygues Development will also build

residential properties on behalf of housing and care provider,

Housing 21 and West Kent Housing Association. The whole site will

be landscaped and will include a reading garden to hold local

events and give visitors a relaxing place to enjoy a good book or

just meet and chat. Work is expected to be completed in Spring

2012. 

While the building work takes place, Tonbridge People  can enjoy a Jane Austen Literary Walk  and learn more of her heritage closer to home. Here's how:

Visit Tonbridge Library to hire a MP3 player loaded with the audio

guide of the literary walk, narrated by Louise Jameson. Hire charge £1

(customers may either provide their own earphones or buy a set from the

library for £1.25)

Download the audio guided walk FREE from www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries or pick up a FREE printed walk guide from Tonbridge Library or download a copy from www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries

Tonbridge People are also invited to visit the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul to

discover the fascinating connections Jane Austen and her family had

with Tonbridge.

You can be guided around the memorials by an audio-tour

read by local actress Louise Jameson or buy the detailed booklet and

walk around in your own time.

There is also a display of historical items

which give a unique insight into the Austens' time in Tonbridge and the

Tonbridge people Jane knew.

Church Opening hours: 10am-12pm (weekdays) and 10am-4pm on Saturdays. Parties at other times by arrangement. For more info telephone: 01732 770962.