The Twentieth Century Society
Encyclopedia
The Twentieth Century Society is a British charity
which campaigns for the preservation
of architectural heritage from 1914 onwards. The society's interests extend to buildings or artefacts, whether important or humble, rare or commonplace, that characterise Twentieth Century Britain.
The Sociey was formed as The Thirties Society in 1979, the year in which the Thirties exhibition was shown at the Hayward Gallery
. The idea came from The Victorian Society
which aims to protect pre-1914 Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Though several modern buildings had been listed on the recommendation of Nikolaus Pevsner
in 1970, it was felt by John Harris
and Sir Simon Jenkins that much more needed to be done. Bevis Hillier
was the first president, Clive Aslet
the first honorary secretary. In 1992 it changed its name to The Twentieth Century Society as it was felt that Thirties Society was a poor description as the society aimed to protect buildings from other periods as well.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
which campaigns for the preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
of architectural heritage from 1914 onwards. The society's interests extend to buildings or artefacts, whether important or humble, rare or commonplace, that characterise Twentieth Century Britain.
The Sociey was formed as The Thirties Society in 1979, the year in which the Thirties exhibition was shown at the Hayward Gallery
Hayward Gallery
The Hayward Gallery is an art gallery within the Southbank Centre, part of an area of major arts venues on the South Bank of the River Thames, in central London, England. It is sited adjacent to the other Southbank Centre buildings and also the Royal National Theatre and British Film Institute...
. The idea came from The Victorian Society
The Victorian Society
The Victorian Society is the national charity responsible for the study and protection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and other arts in Britain....
which aims to protect pre-1914 Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Though several modern buildings had been listed on the recommendation of Nikolaus Pevsner
Nikolaus Pevsner
Sir Nikolaus Bernhard Leon Pevsner, CBE, FBA was a German-born British scholar of history of art and, especially, of history of architecture...
in 1970, it was felt by John Harris
John Harris (curator)
John Frederick Harris OBE is an English curator, historian of architecture, gardens and architectural drawings, and the author of more than 25 books and catalogues, and 200 articles...
and Sir Simon Jenkins that much more needed to be done. Bevis Hillier
Bevis Hillier
Bevis Hillier is an English art historian, author and journalist. He has written on Art Deco, and also a biography of Sir John Betjeman.-Life and work:...
was the first president, Clive Aslet
Clive Aslet
Clive Aslet is editor-at-large of Country Life magazine, a writer on British architecture and life, and a campaigner on countryside and other issues.-Career:...
the first honorary secretary. In 1992 it changed its name to The Twentieth Century Society as it was felt that Thirties Society was a poor description as the society aimed to protect buildings from other periods as well.