Kate Williams, Amber Butchart, and Mel Backe-Hansen join our 20sPeople season of online talks

7 Jan 2022 12:33 PM

We yesterday announced more details of the online events programme as part of our 20sPeople season marking this month’s publication of the 1921 Census.

Historians and broadcasters Kate Williams, Amber Butchart and Mel Backe-Hansen will all give online talks as part of the season which also features an onsite exhibition at Kew, The 1920s:Beyond the Roar, opening on 21 January.

Kicking-off the talks series on 26 January, historian, author and broadcaster Kate Williams will examine the 1920s as a decade of conflict, creation and change that saw Britain leap forward in some areas but crumble in others.

On 4 February, Mel Backe-Hansen, house historian and co-author of A House
Through Time, will explore a revolution in housing after the First World War as the population demanded better homes, leading to investment into council housing, and changes to mortgages that would extend into the 1930s.

Curator, writer and broadcaster Amber Butchart, who specialises in the cultural and political history of textiles and dress, will explore the shifts that influenced the style of the era on 30 March. She will examine how influences that were shaping the modern world, such as women’s political representation, Hollywood, sporting stars and avant-garde art movements also went on to shape women’s wardrobes in the 1920s.

Kate Williams yesterday said:

“I am fascinated by the 1920s, have researched and written on it, and I am so thrilled to be involved with The National Archives’ Exhibition and Events programme.

“The 1920s was a time when people had to hold on tight, surrounded by change, and reading their letters and documents is such a privilege, hearing the amazing spirit of‘ ’20s men and women.”

Shikha Sharma, Events Manager at The National Archives, yesterday said:

“It is hugely exciting to be able to announce such prestigious names for our online events programme exploring the 1920s.

“By holding these talks online, anyone in the world can register and log on from home to learn more about the time in which our predecessors lived 100 years ago.”

Full details of the events confirmed so far can be found in our 20sPeople online portal.

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