The Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in 1754 by William Shipley. The RSA is also celebrating the 250th anniversary of moving into our ‘House' in 1774 and the Society (after 1908 'Royal') has been in residence, ever since.
The building was designed as part of the Adam brothers' Adelphi complex and the architect was Robert Adam. In 1772 two foundation stones were laid with a time capsule buried under each stone, with the enclosed items listed in an archive record. The House boasts several original Adams features, including the cornice in the Great Room, iconic Adam stairwells, 14 Adam fireplaces and extensive vaults. The Great Room showcases James Barry’s series of paintings started in 1777 and completed in 1801, alongside portraits painted by Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds.