Polly Putnam
Position: Curator of Collections
About
Polly has particular responsibility for Kew Palace and the later history of Hampton Court Palace. As of December 2023, she is Chair of the executive committee and Trustee of the Association of Dress Historians. She specialises in the material culture of the long 18th Century. She has published on the furnishing of Queen Charlotte’s Cottage in Kew, curating decorative arts and authenticity in heritage presentation. She has been a guest lecturer at Kings College London, The Victoria and Albert Museum, and Tufts University.
Polly’s recent exhibitions include Crown to Couture (2023), George II: Man Behind the Myth (2020/2021), Victoria: Woman and Crown (2019), The Great Pagoda (2018), and The Chocolate Kitchens, Hampton Court Palace (2014).
Select publications
Putnam, P., (ed), ‘History of Court and Fashion’, ‘Getting Ready’, ‘Macaroni Dress’, Indian Muslin’, ‘Interviews with Stylists’, Crown to Couture: The Magazine (London: Historic Royal Palaces, 2013).
Putnam, P., “The Tasteful Genius of Princess Elizabeth”: The Furnishing of Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, Kew, in 1895’, Furniture History, 53 (2017), 107-121.
All articles by Polly Putnam (4)
The King's 'Malady': George III's Mental Illness Explored
22 March 2024
George III had four prolonged periods of illness during his reign. Despite his achievements, he is perhaps most commonly referred to as ‘The Mad King’ – an unhelpful phrase that undermines the extent of his deeply traumatic ailments, and ignores his physical symptoms.
The explosive history of the pagoda during World War II
06 June 2023
One of the most surprising periods in the history of the Great Pagoda is its use as a secret testing site during World War II. Curator Polly Putnam picks up the tale of this fascinating discovery.
George III: The Mind Behind the Myth exhibition highlights
14 May 2021
In the George III, The Mind Behind the Myth exhibition, we explore George III’s treatment for his ‘madness’ which took place at Kew, in 1789, 1801 and 1804. We have also included objects which tell us something of his passion and interests, and in so doing we have tried to show something of the real person as well as the ‘madness’.
Don't forget about the Georgian Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales
07 May 2014
If you know anything about Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, it will probably be the story of the 'Midnight Flit' from Hampton Court Palace. When his wife Augusta was in the throes of labour with their first child, Frederick bundled her into a carriage in the middle of the night.