Public lecture - the history & origins of Harpenden

The History and Origins of Harpenden: Dr Tony Berk

Eric Morecambe Centre (Auditorium), Rothamsted Park, Leyton Road, Harpenden AL5 2FR

Given the known early greater importance of Wheathampstead, people often ask when and why Harpenden eventually predominated. It’s so easy to say that it was simply the railways that did it, but the answer is more subtle and rather surprising.

Dr Tony Berk will explain in a public lecture entitled The History and Origins of Harpenden hosted by the Harpenden & District Local History Society in the Eric Morecambe Centre (Auditorium), Rothamsted Park, Leyton Road, Harpenden AL5 2FR at 8pm, Tuesday, 22 April. The Harpenden Museum in the EMC will be open beforehand from 7pm.

Dr Berk says, “Despite its predominance today, Harpenden’s origin, rather surprisingly, is somewhat later and more subservient than other towns and villages in the locality. For some time, it was just a small part of the earlier, and much more important, village and manor of Wheathampstead. Rothamsted Manor was only a sub-manor of Wheathampstead. St Nicholas Church was a mere chapel-of-ease at first and remained a daughter church of St Helen’s in Wheathampstead until the mid-19th century.”

185 people attended the Society’s previous lecture, which is a record. The lecture is free to members and students. Visitors are welcome. Booking is not required. Non-members are requested to make a donation, £5, payable at the door