Greater Chicago Region
Kim Wilson
September 12, 2009
The Greater Chicago Region has been commemorating the bicentenary of the move to Chawton Cottage in July, 1809 by Jane Austen, her mother, sister Cassandra and friend Martha Lloyd. As one of a series of celebrations, on Saturday, September 12, members heard a wonderful talk with power point presentation by Kim Wilson, author of In the Garden with Jane Austen and Tea with Jane Austen. The event was held at the Evanston Public Library and was open to the public. A special Austen-in-the-garden cake was served with tea and coffee.
Kim pointed out that the Austens “grew their own food and had flower gardens wherever they lived.” Gardens are mentioned in all six of Austen’s novels. Elizabeth Bennet, Fanny Price and Emma Woodhouse all find “refuge and spiritual refreshment” in the out-of-doors, in groves, gardens and/or shrubberies, where “they can escape to privacy and the soothing influence of nature and indulge their emotions.” Young men and women were not to be alone, but they could take “a socially acceptable walk“ outdoors. And this is where many proposals, at least those that are accepted, were made.
Wilson showed pictures of Chawton manor house, now Chawton Library and home to early English women’s writing, and Chawton cottage, where Austen lived, and its gardens. She also gave a tour of other Cottage Gardens, City Gardens, and Mansion and Manor Gardens as they now look, although many are not so different from what they would have been in Austen’s day. These included Godmersham, where Austen spent time with brother Edward Knight and his family, and Stoneleigh Abbey, which Austen visited with her mother in 1806. Wilson explained why shrubbery walks and gravel paths were important (for shade and to prevent the ill effects of wet feet), and what a “ha ha,” a “wilderness,” and a “temple plantation” are.
After her talk Kim graciously signed copies of her books.
—Elsie Holzwarth