The Dallas Museum of Art owns an engraved portrait of Jane Austen, made by her sister Cassandra, which will be on view for two days only – March 19 and 20. In Jo Baker’s acclaimed novel, Longbourn, the better known characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Austen’s iconic novel Pride and Prejudice take a back seat to the servants of the Bennet household who stoked the fireplaces and washed masses of clothing. Hailed by the New York Times as “delightfully audacious,” this fictionalized tale in the vein of Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey gives readers a sobering look at the underside of daily life circa 1812. Longbourn has been named a New York Times Book Review Notable Book and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and is currently being adapted into a Focus Features film.
Pre-event dining: Enjoy a special two- or three-course British-themed dinner in the Founders Room. Seating will be from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Entrée selections include beer-battered fish and chips, caramelized onion and goat cheese tart, and roast sirloin of beef with Yorkshire pudding. Dinner will include one alcoholic beverage.