March 29th 2026

Edition No 125  of the Isle of Man Victorian

This new 48-page bumper edition dropped last week

onto member’s door mats.

Made freely available  to fully paid up  members and posted to their preferred address. No. 125 contains these new news items, stories and information on interesting and important Manx Victorian related heritage -

• The lost garden in Douglas.
• Two famous horsewomen but who in 2026 ?
• The Manx Florence Nightingale.
• How ‘The Friends’ began and its forgotten leader.
• Where did half of Marina Terrace go in 1893 ?
• Registered Building being left to rot .
• The legendary Victorian Religious devotee and philanthropist.
• A special Golden Jubilee approaches.
• The story of a house, home to thousands but now under threat.
• How a Victorian Lunatic Asylum was born.
• A bee and an ant still beavering away.
• The artist, activist and Pioneer wife of a Manx Sculptor.

It also included the 2026/7 Events guide

Society Newsletter

2026 being 'The Year of the Manx Language',

the IOM Victorian Society's meeting on

Friday 27th March at 7.30PM is entitled:

WAS MANX TO BE HEARD IN DOUGLAS ?

(Row Gaelg ry-chlashtyn ayns Doolish) 

an illustrated talk by Paul Lewin

who will be following the census enumerator

thro' the Streets of Douglas - seeking out those who were identified as Manx speakers in 1901. 

Paul will be looking more closely at

some individuals with 'interesting' stories.

Non-members most welcome at our regular Douglas venue:

St Andrews Church, Parkfield Corner, St Ninian’s Crossroads

(vehicular access off Glencrutchery Road)
Admission: Members Free, Non-Members £4 contribution to room hire. Includes light refreshments.

     FRIDAY 27^th FEBRUARY 2026

 ARCHIBALD KNOX

- ORDER AND BEAUTY

 An illustrated talk by Katie King

(Curator of Art and Social History at the Manx Museum)

Katie will show illustrations of many of the articles that have been on display

as part of

The world’s largest ever exhibition of the works of Archibald Knox

held at the Manx Museum

since 5th April 2025 and closing on 1st March 2026

with the items never to be seen together again!

Non-members most welcome at our regular Douglas venue:

St Andrews Church, Parkfield Corner, St Ninian’s Crossroads

(vehicular access off Glencrutchery Road)
Admission: Members Free, Non-Members £4 contribution to room hire. Includes light refreshments.

1st January 2026

Happy New Year!

 Friday 30th January 2026

The Member’s AGM will begin at 7:30pm and will

 be followed at 8:00pm by

An illustrated talk by Professor Angela Little -

UNLOCKING LOCH’S LEGACY IN EDUCATION

Sir Henry Loch was responsible for many developments and improvements in the Isle of Man during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor.  One of which was undoubtedly the dramatic changes in schools and schooling following his promotion of the Education Act of 1872, yet he is not remembered for this. Here we are all given the opportunity to learn of those great improvements he brought about.
 

 Non-members most welcome at our regular Douglas venue:

St Andrews Church, Parkfield Corner, St Ninian’s Crossroads

(vehicular access off Glencrutchery Road)
Admission: Members Free, Non-Members £4 contribution to room hire. Includes light refreshments.