International Program Alumni | London History

London, England

1851		The Great Exhibition, the first World's Fair, organized by Prince Albert was held in Hyde Park.
1875		Number 56 Prince's Gate was constructed as part of a series of fine residences built with the profits from the Great Exhibition. -The house was constructed for Sir Bernard Samuelson, a prominent industrialist and Member of Parliament.
1950's		After World War II ended, Count Antoine Seilern of Austria moved into 56 Prince's Gate. The house was decorated with what has been described as the world's finest collection of art in private hands at that time. His collection included art by Reubens, Pieter Bruegel, Cezanne, Degas, van Dyke, Manet, Renior, and drawings by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Ricasso, and Durer. After the Count's death in 1978 his collection was moved to Courtauld Instituite's galleries on the Strand. They are together called the Prince's Gate Collection.
1984		London, England was established as a yearlong study-abroad program and the house at 12 Beaufort Gardens was the residence of the students during their stay.
1987		Pepperdine bought the house at 56 Prince's Gate, and the London program moved to its current location.
2006		Friends of London was established -This committee helps program alumni get together for reunions, both locally and in London. The committee also allows alumni to promote the London program through the upcoming campaign to refurbish Prince's Gate.
2008		Inaugural London Celebration Reunion