Latrobe Heritage Trust

What we do

The Latrobe Heritage Trust was established in 1987 to: improve public appreciation of Britain’s architectural heritage; to support the restoration of the buildings and landscapes of Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764–1820), and to make them available to the public where possible; encourage academic research into his work; promote high standards of building and landscape conservation, and to save them from destruction or disfigurement.

How we do it

Planning casework and campaigning

The Trust also takes a strong interest in planning and Listed Building Consent applications for alteration to Latrobe’s works, and their wider landscape settings. We work with other organisations, including the national amenity societies in the UK, to support their conservation. As in other areas of our work, we seek promote a better understanding of the significance and historic context of Latrobe’s work among decision-makers and the wider public.

Grants

We award small grants, from time to time, typically of no more than £2,500 (although more where exceptional circumstances may apply), in favour of the conservation of Latrobe buildings and landscapes. We also award grants for relevant academic research and in pursuit of our wider charitable aims.

Acquisitions

Occasionally, where items of historical interest are discovered and/or come up for sale which relate to Latrobe's life and work, the Trust seeks to acquire them for conservation and display in the public interest. We arranged and co-funded the acquisition of Latrobe’s perspective drawing of Hammerwood Lodge, drawn for John Sperling in c. 1792 and from which elements were incorporated at Hammerwood Park and at Ashdown House, building a coalition of donors including the Pilgrim Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the LHT. The drawing is lodged with the RIBA Collections.