The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) announced today that its original documentary, Chatsworth Through Time, is scheduled for release on public television stations across the United States in August 2026. The program, produced by the ICAA, explores the history, architecture, landscape, and artworks of Chatsworth, one of the most well-known estates in Great Britain, located in the Peak District National Park.
Chatsworth has been home to the Devonshire family for 500 years. Over the centuries, the Dukes and Duchesses of Devonshire have renovated and expanded the house to reflect new political developments, social realities, and changing styles. The documentary, hosted by Chatsworth's senior curators, begins in the Tudor Period and progresses through five hundred years of history to the 21st century, culminating in an extended interview with the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
Produced by the ICAA, the program features unparalleled access to an extraordinary collection of historically significant architecture, fine craftsmanship, and rare artworks accumulated at the estate over seventeen generations. “It was an honor at the ICAA to work with the Chatsworth House Trust, providing a unique opportunity to thoroughly explore the story of a house rich in architectural and artistic history,” said ICAA president Peter Lyden. “By opening the house's archives and hearing directly from the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth Through Time provides unprecedented insight into the legendary estate.”
The documentary will be distributed by American Public Television (APT), a leading syndicator of high-quality programming to public television stations. APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and nearly half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. The broadcast will reach audiences through stations like Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), among others.
Chatsworth, located within Britain's Peak District National Park, comprises a Grade I listed house and stables, a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park, a farmyard and adventure playground, and one of Europe's most significant private art collections. The Chatsworth House Trust, a registered charity, is dedicated to looking after the house, collections, garden, and parkland for everyone. Visitor income funds essential conservation and an ambitious program of exhibitions, events, learning, and community outreach.
This documentary is part of the ICAA's broader mission to advance the appreciation and practice of the principles of traditional architecture and its allied arts. The ICAA offers a wide array of programs, including classes, travel, lectures, awards, and conferences, and publishes an academic journal called the Classicist, an acclaimed book series called the Classical America Series in Art and Architecture, and an original documentary film series, Design in Mind.
The announcement of the national broadcast underscores the enduring public interest in historic estates and their cultural significance. By providing an in-depth look at Chatsworth's evolution over five centuries, the documentary offers viewers a unique opportunity to understand how architecture and art reflect broader historical and social changes. The inclusion of an extended interview with the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire adds a personal dimension, linking the past to the present.
For more information about Chatsworth, visit www.chatsworth.org. Additional details about the ICAA and its programs can be found on their website.
