On Thursday evening Anne will present Dollar Princesses, the story of hundreds of American heiresses, who, between 1870 and 1914, flooded the shores of continental Europe, trading fortunes for titles.

These marriages – dubbed by some as gilded prostitution – were usually hard-headed matches plotted by the parents.

They may have kept many grand estates from collapsing, but few provided lasting happiness.

Famous princesses included Consuelo Vanderbuilt at Blenheim and Mary Curzon at Kedleston.

The lecture will look at the portraits, the clothes, the jewels and the literature of the Dollar Princesses.

On Friday morning Anne will present two lectures.

The first will be Les Parisiennes, the story of women’s lives in Paris during the dark years of Nazi occupation. Anne will tell of the women who were sent to camps, the housewives, the actors, the singers and the night club dancers.

You will learn how many couturiers and jewellers flourished at this time.

Then, The Story of the Cook Sisters, two eccentric, opera loving women who undertook dangerous undercover missions in the 1930’s, rescuing Jewish musicians and others from the Nazis.

The lecture will also explore the world of opera in the 1920s and 1930s.

People are welcome to attend on Thursday evening, Friday morning or maybe treat yourself to both.

Information on the society and the 2018 program can be found at: adfas.org.au/shoalhaven/ or from Julie, the membership secretary, on 0429 549 942.

Dollar Princesses – Thursday May 3, 7.30pm–9.30pm, $25 at the door or included with membership ($140 per year). A light supper will be served.

Les Parisiennes / The Story of the Cook Sisters – Friday May 4, 10am–12.30pm, $35 for members or $40.00 for non-members at the door. Morning tea is included.

The lectures are all held at The Berry School of Arts, Alexandra St, Berry.