The National Trust has reopened a hidden gem for a new season of special guided tours.
The Hardmans' House on 59 Rodney Street has been preserved as a 1950s time capsule and was the home and photographic studio of Edward Chambré Hardman and his wife, Margaret. Irish-born Edward is known for his photographs of the British landscape, snapshots of Liverpool's mid-20th century transformation and portraits of many celebrities of the age.
The terraced Georgian house is filled with cameras and studio equipment as well as the Hardmans' personal items, including a kitchen stocked with decades-old food packaging and Margaret's clothes and jewellery.
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The house will be open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays between September 9 and October 29. The tours last 45 minutes and will enable visitors to explore three floors of the property, including the photographic studio, dark room and the Hardmans' living quarters.
Visitors can also see Agency of Women, a contemporary art exhibition by artist-in-residence, Tabitha Jussa. It features a collection of black and white and hand-coloured portraits of 17 women at the forefront of Liverpool's arts and culture today.
Michelle Yunqué Alvarado, collections and house manager at the National Trust, said: "The Hardmans were a fascinating couple and not only are their photographs a valuable record of mid-20th century life in Britain, but their home is a must-see experience in its own right.
"Many people from Liverpool and beyond came here to have their portrait taken by Mr Hardman, and those portraits might still be hanging on their children's or grandchildren's walls today. For some people, a visit to the Hardmans' House is a personal journey. For most people, it's a chance to truly step back in time to when photography was a rare art form."
Spaces on the tour are limited, so booking is recommended to guarantee a place. Tickets can be booked online via the National Trust website, or by telephone on 0344 249 1895. Entry is free for National Trust members.
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