Welcome toThe Rothschild Archive'swebsite

Sources for business history: plans of New Court

Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901

Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905

Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910

Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920

Sources for business history: index cards to bank files

Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s

Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon

Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s

Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909

Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900

Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893

Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858

Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904

Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899

Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927

Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965

Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930

Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s

Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s

Exhibition - Rothschild Gardens

7: English gardens: Waddesdon

In 1874 Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839-1898) bought “a lovely tract of land, [with] beautiful soil...and very pretty scenery” in the Vale of Aylesbury.  Inspired by the châteaux of the Valois, Ferdinand employed Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur to build him his own French-style country house, with towers and external staircases such as he had seen while in Touraine. The house was opened in 1884.  Many of the furnishings and pictures were from 18th century Parisian interiors, but Ferdinand mingled these successfully with English portraits and Dutch masters. Queen Victoria who spent a day at Waddesdon in 1890 was delighted with the house.

The grounds at Waddesdon

The grounds at Waddesdon were landscaped to create parkland and gardens with plenty of colourful trees and shrubs. The transformation of the former wilderness involved piping Chiltern Hills water seven miles from Aylesbury and excavation and levelling on a huge scale to provide a firm foundation on sandy soil. Planting of the parterres was a particularly delcate enterprise as Ferdinand used only annuals, which were replantred two or three times during the season with potted flowers grown under glass.

After his death in 1898, the estate passed to Ferdinand’s sister Alice and then in 1922 to her nephew, James, who bequeathed the house to the National Trust in 1957. Waddesdon Manor is open to the public.

Waddesdon Manor from the parterre c.1910

Waddesdon Manor from the parterre c.1910