Sir Winston Churchill’s 1950’s Chartwell House staff office is recreated by the National Trust – as wartime PM’s secretary recalls 'amazing' life working for him

Sir Winston Churchill's 1950's Chartwell House staff office has been recreated by the National Trust, as the wartime Prime Minister's secretary recalls an 'amazing' life working for him. The office used by his secretaries, including Nonie Chapman who worked for the politician at the age of 21, has been recreated as part of a $9 million (£7.1million) project by the National Trust to obtain hundreds of heirlooms and mementoes once owned by the former Prime Minister. Items on display in the country house's office near Westerham, Kent, comprise of a typewriter, telephone, inkwell, address book, photos of influential figures such as Charles De Gaulle and Field-Marshall Douglas Haig and even a map case given to Churchill by President Roosevelt as a Christmas present during the Second World War. Click through to see photos of the recreation... 

A black and white photograph showing the secretaries' office at Chartwell before it was recreated. Zoe Colbeck, General Manager at Chartwell, said the project has allowed the trust to tell Churchill's story in a 'new and dynamic way'.

A postal tube, desk stamp and stationery in the secretaries' office. Items on display in the country house also include a typewriter, telephone, inkwell, address book and even a map case given to Churchill by President Roosevelt.

Ms Chapman , who worked for the Prime Minister shortly before his death in 1965, looked back on the 'wonderful atmosphere' she experienced at Chartwell during her time there. She told The Guardian: 'I remember watching Lawrence of Arabia and what was probably the first James Bond film. They were an amazing family to work for, you could go where you wanted, they were very friendly. The house had a wonderful atmosphere.'

Zoe Colbeck, General Manager at Chartwell, said: 'Chartwell was Churchill's beloved family retreat away from the stresses of political life and he often spoke of his wish for a museum on site at the house after his death. It was very special to the Churchill family and now also holds a special place in the hearts of many people. We have been delighted that so many who shared our ambition donated to the appeal to save such a wealth of items and make them more accessible to future generations. It has allowed us to tell this aspect of Churchill's story in new and dynamic ways as part of our wider plans for Chartwell, and ensures that one of the leading figures of the twentieth century remains accessible to people of all ages to learn more about.' 

Alongside reimagining the office as it was in the 1950s using photos and secretaries' memories, the charity also curated 141 paintings to create a studio in the property similar to that of the early 1960s. Pictured: Paintings by Churchill which have been redisplayed in his studio as part of the project.

National Trust House and Collection manager Katherine Carter pictured in the redisplayed studio showing Churchill's paintings. She said the recreation 'enables us to have a deeper understanding of him as an artist'. She continued: 'To be able to recreate the display to more accurately reflect how Churchill himself knew it, enables us to have a deeper understanding of him as an artist and the great pride he took in showcasing his paintings within that space.'

National Trust Communications Director Celia Richardson unveils a plaque thanking those who made the multi-million project possible. Donations were also contributed by National Trust Supporter Groups, private donors and members of the public.

Churchill's collection of inscribed books in the drawing room at Chartwell, which have been researched and fully catalogues for the first time as part of the project. The work led to a transformation in the presentation of his family home in Kent.

Two volunteers research and conserve books once owned by Churchill. One important item discovered was a House of Commons birthday book, which was signed by every member of the Commons and given to Churchill for his 80th birthday.

A volunteer researches a book at Chartwell. Other important objects acquired by the Trust are Churchill's Nobel Prize in Literature, a collection of medallions, his wooden speech box and a pair of hairbrushes made from the deck of HMS Exeter.

The handwritten visitors' book, containing over 700 entries made between 1924 and 1964 including that of Charlie Chaplin, suffragette Christabel Pankhurst and politician David Lloyd George, has also been digitized for guests to scroll through.

The handwritten visitors' book, pictured. The project was supported by volunteers, working closely alongside the Trust's curators, to help research the book and reveal previously undeciphered names.

Pictured: Churchill sitting inside his library at Chartwell.