Plymouth Athenaeum

20/10/2026

Today marks 100 days of the New Athenaeum Project refurbishment works. The works are progressing well as we reach the 100-day point.

To mark the first 100 days of the refurbishments, we thought we would share some photos of the work so far.

So, just pop over to our new Flickr account and take a look at the progress: 205037603@N05/albums/with/72177720336190899" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/205037603@N05/albums/with/72177720336190899

29/09/2026

Plymouth's Frederick Waymouth Gibbs was tutor to King Edward VII and he left a written record of fascinating glimpses of working with Royalty, meeting Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and other renowned figures of the 19th Century.

Want to find out more?

Join us on Thursday, 1 October (7.30pm) at Green Taverners.

Entry is free and you can register at: https://education-of-a-prince-athenaeum.eventbrite.co.uk

25/09/2026

Fascinated by British Royalty and the history of the Victorian Era?

Join us as Prof Sir Ghillean Prance tells the story of Plymouth's Frederick Waymouth Gibbs, tutor to King Edward VII on Thursday, 1 October (7.30pm).

Drawing on extracts from Gibbs’ diary, correspondence and other documents, Sir Ghillean will chart his fascinating life and work as tutor to Queen Victoria’s children during the years 1851-56.

It will offer fascinating glimpses of Gibbs’ experiences working with Royalty, including meeting Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Entry is free and you can register at:

Prof Sir Ghillean Prance tells the story of Frederick Waymouth Gibbs, tutor to King Edward VII

11/09/2026

Did you know that Plymouth's Frederick Waymouth Gibbs was a tutor to the young King Edward VII?

Discover more about barrister Gibbs at our annual President's Address lecture on Thursday, 1 October (7.30pm).

Prof Sir Ghillean Prance will be discussing the life and work of Gibbs, who was his grandfather's cousin.

Learn more and register for the lecture here: https://education-of-a-prince-athenaeum.eventbrite.co.uk

Please note: this lecture is taking place at the Green Taverners NOT the Plymouth Athenaeum due to refurbishment works at the Athenaeum.

Venue: Green Taverners Marquee, Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ.

10/07/2026

'The refurbishment works will make the building better than ever and provide an exciting and accessible event space'

10/07/2026

We're looking forward to seeing people tomorrow for the drop-in event as part of the New Athenaeum project launch (10am-2pm).

Come and see the plans and talks to us about them.

A big thank you to William Telford and Plymouth Live for this story.

Plans on show at Plymouth Athenaeum before transformation begins

03/07/2026

New Athenaeum Project Launch - Saturday, 11 July 2026 – 10am-2pm

Help us start the New Athenaeum Project journey by joining us at this drop-in event showcasing the £2m building refurbishment plans

Join us as we showcase the launch of a major, £2m refurbishment project for one of the city’s most iconic buildings which will see the full re-opening of our much-loved theatre in 2027.

To find out more and register visit: https://new-athenaeum-launch.eventbrite.co.uk

23/03/2026

Did you know the Macartney Embassy (1792–1794) was the first official British diplomatic mission to China, led by George Macartney to the Qing dynasty's Qianlong Emperor.

Aiming to open trade, establish a permanent embassy, and ease restrictions in Canton, the mission failed to achieve its goals as the Emperor viewed the requests as contradictory to tradition and unnecessary.

Find out more in Dr HannahTheaker's lecture 'Our Great Qing: Revisiting the Macartney Embassy and China's Long 19th Century' on Thursday (March 26, 7.30pm).

Full details: https://our-great-qing-athenaeum.eventbrite.co.uk

18/03/2026

Our Spring lecture programme starts next Thursday (26 March, 7.30pm) when University of Plymouth's Dr Hannah Theaker discusses the Macartney Embassy and China's long 19th Century.

Find out more about this and the other talks here: https://plymouthathenaeum.eventbrite.com