This past weekend marked 100 years of Stonehenge belonging to the nation, and it was
highlighted by celebrations. English Heritage and the artist Jeremy Deller marked 100 years since Stonehenge was donated to the nation with a day of celebrations at the ancient stones.
Curated by Deller, Friday 26 October was full of music and art, an inflatable Stonehenge, an anniversary tea party, as well as a few surprises.
It has been hundred years since on 26 October 1918, local couple Cecil and Mary Chubb gifted Stonehenge to the nation. It is thanks to their generosity that Stonehenge was saved, as prior to 1918 the monument was propped up with wooden poles and some of the stones were in danger of collapse. English Heritage’s predecessors, The Office of Works, restored many of the fallen stones and undertook a major program of care and conservation which continues today under English Heritage.
As part of the centenary celebrations, Friday 26 October 2018 was the premiere of a new piece of music performed within the stone circle. Commissioned by English Heritage, the piece is a collaboration between Jeremy Deller, composer Matt Rogers, and the contemporary music ensemble, the London Sinfonietta. The piece for brass and percussion was performed at intervals throughout the day.
Another highlight was the debut at Stonehenge of Sacrilege, Deller’s inflatable replica of
Stonehenge. The artist describes Sacrilege as a light-hearted and playful way of visitors to “get reacquainted with ancient Britain with your shoes off”. Sacrilege has been loaned to English Heritage by The Store X Vinyl Factory, and was outside the Stonehenge visitor center from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 October.
The celebrations on Friday 26 October also included an afternoon tea party at Stonehenge while every visitor that day received a special ticket designed by Deller. On the Friday evening, Deller gave a talk on art, archaeology and the ancient world at the Stonehenge visitor center.
To help support the conservation of Stonehenge and the other 400 plus historic sites in the care of the charity English Heritage (the majority of which are free to visit), Deller has produced a limited edition series of 100 Stonehenge-inspired prints. These signed and numbered prints will be available to buy at Stonehenge as stated by several news outlets.
Kate Mavor, English Heritage’s Chief Executive, stated that Stonehenge may be 4,500 years old but all this month and all this year, we are celebrating the monument’s last 100 years.
In partnership with the British Museum, Making Connections: Stonehenge in its Prehistoric World will feature stunning precious artifacts made between 4000BC and 800BC, from a jade axe to an elaborate gold neckpiece. Visitors can explore the changing relationships between the British Isles and Europe over the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Making Connections: Stonehenge in its Prehistoric World opened to the public on 12 October 2018 and will run until 21 April 2019.  For further information, visit our Stonehenge 100 webpage.