Buy Julie Montagu, American Countess a coffee

Hi, I’m Julie Montagu, and I care for Mapperton House, our family estate in the West Dorset, U.K, often called "England’s Finest Manor House." Built in the 1540s, Mapperton is home to the Earl of Sandwich’s family and an extraordinary collection of art, naval artifacts, and historical treasures.

The Sandwich family’s legacy includes naval hero Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich, and John Montagu, 4th Earl, famed for both his political achievements and the invention of the sandwich! Mapperton’s unique charm lies in its harmony of 16th, 17th, and 18th-century architecture and interiors—a rich tapestry of history at every turn.

Learn more at www.mapperton.com.

Help Restore our 18th Century Tapestry (part 1)

Preserving Mapperton’s Tapestry Heritage

Mapperton House, known as "England’s Finest Manor," is home to a stunning collection of 18th-century Brussels tapestries, woven with intricate detail and vibrant storytelling. These tapestries, depicting scenes of hunting, classical mythology, and verdant landscapes, are treasures of historical and artistic significance. However, after centuries of wear, they are now in urgent need of conservation to protect their beauty and legacy.

We are embarking on a mission to restore this magnificent collection, but we’re starting small—with the Peacock Tapestry, a single, exquisite panel featuring a fountain, a boy riding a fish, and a proud peacock in the foreground. This panel represents the first step in what we hope will be a broader effort to conserve and reimagine Mapperton’s entire tapestry collection.

By supporting this project, you are helping us breathe new life into a piece of history, ensuring that it continues to inspire and educate future generations. Together, we can preserve Mapperton’s tapestries, one stitch at a time.