Kids Links Stowe House is a very visual place and so can be enjoyed by children of all ages. Since there is very little original furniture left, the House does not have a 'museum' atmosphere. There is a free children's trail available (suitable for 7 years old and upwards) which encourages children to look more closely at the beautiful neo-classical rooms. The Interpretation Centre includes a touch screen showing how the Marble Saloon was restored; the origins of hairdressing; and guess who wore the dressing up clothes, which are available to try on.
In the 18th Century, wealthy young men were sent on the Grand Tour around Europe and eastern countries to learn about the art and architecture of different cultures. Archaeology became very fashionable and as ancient sites were discovered, people back in Britain copied the styles they had found in their paintings and buildings. The most popular styles at the time were Ancient Greece and Rome. This style was called Neo-Classicism (new classic style). This is mainly represented through copying the styles of ancient temples.
When they returned home, in order to make their mark in society, they started to build or adapted their family houses in the new style. They were trying to recreate the glory and splendour of Ancient Greece and Rome, founders of modern democracy and liberty. The interiors were influenced mythogical creatures and people, linking themselves to what these figures stood for, such as beauty, strength, wealth and goodness. Stowe House is typical of these ideals and by looking all around, at the floors and at the ceilings, you can begin to understand what the Neo-Classicists represent.
These activities are designed to encouraged you to learn a little more about Stowe House and all of the answers can be found on the website.
Look at the 6 words listed below in capital letters, and then see if you can find them in the wordsearch grid.
1.
This is a place where people went to
TEMPLE
worship a Greek or Roman god. It is
also the name of the family who first
built Stowe House.
2.
This is the name of a style of decoration
IONIC
used at the top of a column.
3.
This is the name of the Greek god of
APOLLO
music and the sun.
4.
This was a special honour given to
GARTER
Earl Temple by the king in 1760. It is
included in the design on the ceiling
of one of the State Rooms.
5.
This is what Stowe House has been
SCHOOL
used for since it was sold in 1922.
6.
This is the material used for the floor
MARBLE
of the largest room in Stowe House.
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1. These are all the names of materials used for building:
BALREM
SENOT
DOWO
LEIT
STRAPEL
TMCENE
ASTEL
ALDE
KIBRC
2. These are the names of Roman gods. The days of the week are named after them. (If you speak French, it may help you to think of the French words for the days of the week.)
TRUNSA
CRUMYER
UNSEV
ADAIN
LALOOP
ARMS
RUPTIJE
(Answers for building materials: Marble, Stone, Wood, Tile, Plaster, Cement, Slate, Lead, Brick.)
(Answers for Roman Gods: Saturn, Mercury, Venus, Diana, Apollo, Mars, Jupiter.)
