Purcell sponsors Historic Houses’ 2026 Frances Garnham Award

Purcell is proud to sponsor the 2026 Frances Garnham Award for Education, presented by Historic Houses, marking the first of a three-year partnership with the not-for-profit cooperative association.

With over a thousand member properties, all of them listed, Historic Houses represents the UK’s largest collection of built heritage, including independently owned historic houses, castles, and gardens.

The award commemorates the achievements of Frances Garnham, who worked as Director of Policy and Campaigns at Historic Houses until 2015. Frances was passionate about encouraging heritage sites to embrace the opportunities of engaging with a wide range of audiences, and this award in her name seeks to shine a light on innovative examples of learning and outreach.

Harewood House in West Yorkshire has won this year’s award for their education programme exploring Harewood’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade and its continuing impact today. Through on-site sessions, live online workshops and self-directed visits, hundreds of students have engaged with the human stories behind this history, in a programme designed to encourage empathy, critical thinking and reflection. Built in the 18th century and designed by architect John Carr, Harewood is a Palladian-style house where visitors can explore its collections and more than 100 acres of gardens and parkland.

Photos by Tom Arber, courtesy of Harewood House

“We are delighted to welcome Purcell as our new sponsor for the Frances Garnham Award for Education. Upholding Frances’ legacy and commitment to learning is of paramount importance to us at Historic Houses, and this partnership will enable us to continue to recognise brilliance among our member places when it comes to educational and community engagement.”

– Ben Cowell, Director General, Historic Houses

“We are over the moon to receive this award. For the last four years, a priority for our formal learning programme has been the continuous development of our Transatlantic Slave Trade sessions, and it means a lot to be recognised for our innovative and meaningful approach to this topic. We hope to inspire other institutions with challenging histories to take a similar approach to their learning programme and help shape the next generation into critical, well-balanced thinkers when it comes to Britain's past.”

– Mary Walsh, Learning and Engagement Manager, Harewood House

“We were extremely impressed with the way Harewood have used their house, gardens and archive to make the difficult histories of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade tangible and relevant to students. The sensory, innovative approach in the gardens stood out, as did the moving focus on ‘small acts of rebellion’, which gave every child something positive to connect with. A worthy winner.”

– Tom Brigden, Partner at Purcell and a member of the judging panel

Purcell sponsors Historic Houses’ 2026 Frances Garnham Award

Purcell is proud to sponsor the 2026 Frances Garnham Award for Education, presented by Historic Houses, marking the first of a three-year partnership with the not-for-profit cooperative association.

With over a thousand member properties, all of them listed, Historic Houses represents the UK’s largest collection of built heritage, including independently owned historic houses, castles, and gardens.

Photos by Tom Arber, courtesy of Harewood House

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