La Rochelle: Visitors 1954-1970
After arriving in Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) in the early 1950s, British couple Sir Stephen and Lady Virginia Courtauld decided to make it their home.
Fabulously wealthy and with diverse artistic and humanitarian interests, the Courtauld’s built a striking home and gardens which they called La Rochelle. They bequeathed the property to the NTZ in 1970.
At La Rochelle the Courtauld’s hosted an extraordinary range of visitors from all over the world and from many walks of life. Visitors were invited to sign their names with a diamond stylus on several glass window panels, and the hundreds of inscribed signatures have intrigued more recent visitors to La Rochelle.
Over the past seven years three volunteers have documented 898 signatures, aiming to learn a little about each individual – not an easy task given the problems of deciphering the signatures and the passage of time. The resulting publication provides a fascinating glimpse of signatories ranging from African nationalist activists, political figures from various parties, prominent musicians, dancers, actors and artists, historians, British aristocracy, local residents and more. A printed colour book is available in Zimbabwe only please email ntzimbabwe@gmail.com.
If you would like to purchase online please visit: https://ntoz.org/publications-page/
Your order will be processed through our website provider: Change Canada Consultants Ltd. When you click the link you will be taken to their secure website where you may process your payment via credit card. Then you will be given a link to download the publication from their server. Buy your copy today and enjoy!
USE NUMBER: 0775 907 595