Historic Buildings Section AGM and Presentation on WW2 Storage of Paintings
Historic Buildings Section Annual General Meeting and Presentation
Thursday 5th November 2026
7.30 in the lecture Theatre Hampshire Record office Sussex Street, Winchester.
Robert Sutton MSc CIFA will provide a fascinating account of the Second World War story of the underground facility, documented by Cotswold Archaeology, for the storage of the National Gallery’s Paintings.
During World War Two the National Gallery stored nearly 2000 of its collection of paintings in the converted slate mine at Manod Quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog North Wales. Churchill had vetoed the paintings being sent to Canada and said, ‘Hide them in caves and cellars, but not one picture shall leave this island’ The paintings left London in late August 1939 prior to the start of the war. Temporary storage was provided in various parts of Wales until facilities could be provided in the former underground slate quarry.
The talk will cost £10 for members and £12 for non-members Places can be booked at www.ticketsource.co.uk/hantsfieldclubhistoricbuildings.
If you wish to pay by cheque please email Frank Green: cahillgreen@talktalk.net
