Historian & research consultant
Karen Averby is an historian, research consultant and writer with over 20 years experience in the heritage sector. She specialises in house histories of all periods, including other building types which have been converted into a home! Karen researches the lives of former owners and occupants, how houses change over time, and works with family historians keen to trace the history of their ancestors’ homes.
She also undertakes research consultancy for heritage organisations and consultants, property professionals, businesses, exhibitions, authors, and television producers. Diverse research commissions have included buildings and subjects from all periods, notably the Houses of Parliament, English Heritage Blue Plaque research, characterisation of seaside resorts for Historic England, and consultancy for a Royal Parks project.
She gives talks, holds workshops, and writes books, specialist reports and articles on aspects of house history, historical research, seaside history, and local history. Her work has been featured in national and local press, and she writes a fortnightly column in the East London Guardian. She is a collaborative working advocate, and welcomes opportunities to develop and promote community and local history projects using historical research.
Karen has an academic and working background in architectural history, archaeology, and archives. She is an Affiliate of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and is a member of specialist societies including Archives and Records Association, Society of Architectural Historians (GB), and British Association for Local History.
Karen is Director of historical research consultancy Archangel Heritage Ltd, working with heritage organisations, consultants, conservation specialists, architects and planning professionals in the commercial heritage sector. She sits on the committee of AE17 and is part of the Waltham Forest History and Heritage and Coastal History Networks.
House History Show presentations
On Saturday 15 May at 11.30 am buildings historian and heritage research consultant Karen Averby will be presenting ‘Terraced House Tales: new 19th century housing and its occupants’, in which she will explore these familiar Victorian dwellings and the families who first lived in them.
On Thursday 3 June, 6.30 pm buildings historian and heritage research consultant Karen Averby will be co-presenting ‘A Virtual View: Online Sources’ with accredited genealogist and house historian Cathy Soughton, a presentation in the summer lecture series.
Karen will also be participating in the chats and plenary Q&A through the Saturday.
Book your ticket
- Click here to buy your all-inclusive ticket for the House History Show
- You can also attend Cathy's lecture on 3 June for £10 (included in all-inclusive ticket)
Karen’s published books include Seaside Hotels (2018) and Beach Huts (2017), available from bookshops, online sellers, and directly from the publisher Amberley Publishing. Attendees at the House History Show or Karen's lecture on 3 June will be eligible for a 20% discount on both of these books.
Find Karen Averby online
Twitter: @karenaverby
For commercial heritage enquiries, please visit archangelheritage.co.uk or email [email protected]
@HouseHistoryHr – tune in to #HouseHistoryHour every Thursday at 7pm GMT/BST, co-hosted by Karen Averby and a group of fellow leading house historians for House History news, advice & information.
