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Rare Books Unlocked: Historic Library Opens Monthly
6 Jun
Summary
- Ushaw House library opens monthly for public tours.
- Collection features Darwin's 'Origin of Species' first edition.
- Visitors can view medieval manuscripts and historical texts.
Ushaw House in County Durham, a site recognized as one of Britain's most significant historic spaces, is enhancing public access to its renowned Big Library. To celebrate its 175th anniversary, the library will now be open to visitors on the first Friday of each month, beginning July 2026.
This exclusive space safeguards an extensive collection of over 50,000 rare books, early manuscripts, and first editions. Among its most prized possessions are a first edition of Charles Darwin's seminal work, "On the Origin of Species," and an early edition of Sir Isaac Newton's "Principia Mathematica."
In addition to these landmark scientific texts, the library also features rare medieval illuminated manuscripts and the visually rich Nuremberg Chronicle, an encyclopedia dating back to 1493. A rotating selection of up to six books or manuscripts will be showcased each month, offering new discoveries for returning visitors.
Access to the Big Library is managed through pre-booked time slot tickets. This initiative aims to increase engagement with the collections, allowing more people to experience the extraordinary literary and architectural heritage of Ushaw House, a former Roman Catholic seminary.
