Hidden 1930s Films Reveal Dartington Hall's Magical Past

Dartington Hall, located in the South West of England, has a rich and fascinating history that is now being shared with the public in new ways. In 1925, Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, who were wealthy philanthropists, purchased the neglected Dartington estate. Their vision was to transform it into a center for education, agriculture, and the arts. This year marks the centenary of Dartington Hall Trust, and to celebrate, they have released a film called 'All Things To All People. ' The film features restored footage from the 1930s and 1940s, much of which had never been seen before. These old films bring the story of Dartington and the Elmhirsts' mission to life, showing how their ideas influenced social and cultural change throughout the twentieth century.

Peter Nicholson, the arts curator for the Trust, played a key role in creating the centenary film. He spent time digitizing many old film reels, some of which were rusty and had faded labels. Peter described the process as a bit of a gamble, not knowing what each reel would contain. Fortunately, most of the films were in good condition and revealed incredible treasures. The footage includes scenes of the Jooss Ballet performing on the estate's lawn in the 1930s, the restoration of the Great Hall's roof, and demonstrations of traditional rural crafts like clog making and weaving. During World War II, the Dartington Film Unit shifted its focus to making public information films.

One particularly moving story captured in the film is that of Kurt Jooss, a German dancer who fled his home country in 1933 after refusing to dismiss his Jewish staff. He found refuge at Dartington Hall, where he established a dance school with the support of Dorothy Elmhirst. The film shows the joy and relief on the faces of Jooss and his company as they escaped the dangers of Nazism. Although the original films were silent, Peter discovered audio tapes from the 1960s in which Leonard Elmhirst described the scenes. By combining the footage with Leonard's narration, the centenary film allows viewers to hear about Dartington's history directly from one of its founders.

For the first time, the Elmhirst family home has been opened to the public. Guided tours now allow visitors to see reconstructed rooms such as the Morning Room and Leonard's study, which have been restored using photographs and original furniture from the family's time at Dartington. The Heritage Centre also features a gallery with 800 artworks and 300 ceramics, displayed in rotation. Peter Nicholson explained that the project was completed with a small team and a limited budget, demonstrating the Trust's commitment to preserving and sharing Dartington's legacy. Despite financial challenges, the team succeeded in making Dartington's story accessible to everyone, ensuring that its history and cultural contributions will be remembered for generations to come.