Why join the Pugin Society?

There are many good reasons for becoming a member of our lively Society.

A voyage of discovery
You will be amazed to discover how much you will learn about one of the greatest figures of the early to mid nineteenth century. The life and work of Augustus Pugin influenced so many other architects and designers in the Victorian era that still, today, much of the architecture we see about us has directly or indirectly been influenced by him. To learn about Pugin will put you in touch with very many remarkable and absorbing facets of nineteenth-century art, religion and design. Pugin and his family are naturally our main focus, but we also like to touch upon various related areas of interest, which we are sure you will enjoy exploring as well.

True Principles
The Pugin Society is proud of its journal, to which every member is entitled, and which comes out once a year in the summer. It is packed with articles and items written both by scholars and enthusiasts relating to Pugin and his world. It is a forum for new research, and will keep you up to date with the latest discoveries in the field of Pugin and the Gothic Revival. We also produce a newsletter, Present State (named in abbreviated form, like True Principles, after the title of one of Pugin's own publications). This will give you a brief and cheerful resumé of news snippets and other items relating to the Society. A new Pugin biography is due to be published in autumn 2007. It will be reviewed in True Principles. Therefore, exceptionally, the 2007 issue will be published in December.

Events
The Society is known for its excellent events, lectures and outings. Once a year we run residential study tours. Last summer saw us at Exeter University, looking at Pugin's work in the West Country, and the year before we were based at York. These are splendid trips for learning a huge amount, under the guidance of experts, and for having a most entertaining time generally. We also organise one day expeditions, talks, and other events. Sometimes too there is the exciting opportunity to see buildings and sites to which the public are not normally allowed access. You will receive full details of forthcoming events in our bi-annual mailings of journal and newsletter. This year (2004) saw us at Edinburgh, looking at Pugin's work in south east Scotland, last year at Exeter and the year before at York.

Friendship
There is no way better way to make like-minded companions than to join the Pugin Society. Although our membership includes a good proportion of Pugin scholars and experts, the Society is a particularly inclusive and friendly one; all that is required of a member is enthusiasm for the subject. Discussion on topics from ALL MEMBERS is warmly welcomed, as are any new ideas or suggestions, from any member. We are always anxious to generate fresh interpretations of our subject and to develop Pugin studies in the most stimulating way possible.

Buildings at Risk
Sadly, within the world of Pugin the Society has often come upon, or been told about, threatened buildings, often churches, built by a member of the Pugin dynasty. It is an important part of our work to try to influence opinion to prevent the wanton destruction of our Victorian — Pugin - heritage. By having members spread throughout the country (and well beyond the UK also) we can build a wide network of people who can report back to us about buildings at risk.

Value for Money
Our subscription is deliberately kept fairly low: £12.00 joint membership in the UK, or £10.00 single and £18.00 and £15.00 respectively if you are overseas. Check joining details for further information.

Greetings to all reading our site, and this page in particular — we very much hope that you will be inclined to join us, and look forward to meeting you.