A Visit to the Jane Austen Centre

Deirdre with Martin Williamson, who plays Mr. Knightley from Austen's novel, Emma, and gave me an amazing tour of the Jane Austen Centre (photo credit: Alex Liebman).

The celebrated English novelist, Jane Austen, was born in December of 1775. Although she died at just forty-one years of age, she completed six novels in her lifetime, which have been translated into dozens of languages, sold tens of millions of copies and have been adapted for television and film.

The Jane Austen Centre, an interactive museum in the British city of Bath, attracts upwards of 200,000 visitors a year from all over the world. A few weeks ago, I set off for Bath to discover what it is about Austen, and her novels, that makes her so popular 250 years after her birth.

Arriving at the Centre a few minutes before my tour began, an actor in period costume greeted me enthusiastically at the door. Introducing himself as Mr. Knightley, a character from Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, his real name is Martin Williamson. He is a talented actor who has worked at the Museum for almost a decade. The best part of his job? “I absolutely love meeting people from all over the world,” he gushed, adding that “people from Japan, China and Korea all adore Jane, but the greatest number of fans come from the United States.” As an American Austen-addict, I was gratified to hear this! 

Deirdre in the Centre's immersive exhibit, which features quotes from Austen's letters and novels and interesting information about her life (photo credit: Alex Liebman).

I was then ushered into the three-story Georgian house which invites visitors to try on Regency-era costumes, like the ones Austen herself would have worn, practice their penmanship with a quill and peruse the exhibits, which explain what Bath was like during the five years Jane spent there.

The Georgian city influenced Austen greatly. Indeed, Williamson told me that Bath is mentioned in every one of her novels, two of which are set there. “Jane knew the city very well, and I think it’s special to think the streets we walk now are the streets that Jane walked,” mused Williamson. “Bath made such an impact on her as a young woman, as a writer…that’s why it’s important she is celebrated here.” 

AUSTEN’S LIFE AND LEGACY

The Centre certainly ensures that Jane is not forgotten in Bath: not only does it educate hundreds of thousands of visitors per year; it also organizes the annual “Jane Austen Festival.” For ten days in September, events inspired by her works, such as balls, performances and guided walks, are held all over the city.

This year, however, to celebrate the milestone anniversary, festivities will be held all year long, culminating on Austen’s birthday, December 16. 

“With her birthday at the end of the year, we have the whole year to build up to a series of special events,” the last of which is the Yuletide Birthday Ball, a four-hour dance extravaganza in which ladies and gentlemen, in Regency-era gowns and suits, dance to early nineteenth century music. 

Two young tourists (who happen to be Deirdre's younger sisters, Theresa and Cara), enjoy donning Regency-era gowns and bonnets (photo credit Deirdre Liebman)!

Austen’s legacy is not as frivolous as costumes and balls, however, it’s her timeless stories, Williamson told me.

“Although she wrote about a specific time in English history, two hundred plus years ago, there’s something in the novels that appeals universally. There’s a real magic about Jane.” 

Having spent the day immersed in Austen’s Bath, I have to say that I agree.