Local History Talk on The Servants at Boston Manor House
John Collins and Maisie Whelehan reveal new discoveries from their research
A print of Boston Manor House from the nineteenth century. Picture:
Chiswick Local Studies Collection
March 12, 2026
The Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society will shine a light on the often overlooked workforce behind one of West London’s great historic houses at their next meeting, The Servants at Boston Manor House, held at the Chiswick Memorial Club.
The illustrated talk on Monday 16 March brings together John Collins, Historic Houses Manager at Boston Manor House, and Maisie Whelehan, one of the researchers involved in a recent internship project that has uncovered new details about the people who kept the house running over four centuries. Their work has pieced together fragments from parish records, household accounts, census returns and estate papers to reveal the identities, roles and daily lives of the servants who lived and worked at Boston Manor.
The research spans from the faint traces of 17th-century domestic staff — often little more than a name or a fleeting reference — to the richer, more personal stories of 19th- and 20th-century servants whose lives can be followed through surviving documents. The talk promises fresh insights into the social history of the house, the changing nature of domestic service, and the individuals whose labour shaped the daily rhythm of this Jacobean mansion.
The Society describes the evening as a rare opportunity to hear newly uncovered stories and to understand Boston Manor House from the perspective of those who worked behind the scenes rather than those who owned it.
The meeting is open to all, and admission is free, though donations from non-members are welcome. Those wishing to join the Society can find subscription details at brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk.
All the society's meetings take place at the Chiswick Memorial Club on the third Monday of each month.
Society members are set to receive the 35th edition of the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Journal at the AGM in May.
Upcoming Talks from the Society
April: Bedford Park at 150
The estate often described as the world’s first garden suburb reaches a milestone this year. On 20 April, Nicholas Bueno de Mesquita—long-time resident and former Secretary of the Bedford Park Society—presents insights from a major community-led research project marking the estate’s 150th anniversary. Drawing on newly uncovered visual material and historical records, he will chart the lives and contributions of Bedford Park residents across a century and a half.
May: Annual General Meeting
The Society’s AGM on 18 May will review activities from the final months before charitable registration and the first full year of the new charity. A short historical talk is expected to follow, with details to be confirmed.
Also this spring: West London Local History Conference
Members may also be interested in the 46th West London Local History Conference, taking place at Duke Street Church, Richmond, on 5 April. This year’s theme, Shopping is never done – High Streets Down the Decades, examines the evolution of local retail life. Tickets (£15) will be available soon via TicketSource.
Membership of the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society ensures that you receive details of the Society’s programme of talks and outings and entitles you to a copy of the annual Journal. From time to time there are opportunities to join a small research group or assist with a local history project.
Meetings, usually on the third Monday of the month, take place at Chiswick Memorial Club, Bourne Place, off Dukes Avenue opposite Chiswick Library. The membership year runs from January to December and the annual subscription costs £15 or £20 for two people at the same address .
If you wish to join, either come along to one of the meetings, or print off, complete and send the membership form with your details and cheque for payment, or if you wish to use your credit or debit card through PayPal, click here but also send an email to membership@brentfordandchiswicklhs.org.uk giving your name, address, phone number, and confirmation that the society may contact you by email in the future.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |