A founding Trustee of Chamberlain Highbury Trust, Phillada, was bestowed the title of Honorary Trust Historian after she completed her final term as a Trustee in October 2025.
Phillada is a historical consultant specialising in buildings, landscapes and gardens. She has built up a considerable knowledge of Highbury and the Chamberlain family through many years of academic and on-the-ground research. From 1984-90 she worked as a curator at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and was in charge of the Chamberlain Museum at Highbury. She has been an advisor to Birmingham City Council on the Highbury landscape and was responsible for the landscape appraisal of Highbury Park. Phillada is the author of several publications on Birmingham landscapes and was the editor of the Victorian Society’s recent book on Birmingham’s Victorian and Edwardian Architects.
‘I became involved in Highbury because I wanted to contribute to the restoration of this rare survival of a Venetian gothic mansion with its intact grounds, associated with one of Birmingham’s most influential politicians, Joseph Chamberlain.
My favourite part of Highbury is the main hall which shows the versatility of the architect, John Henry Chamberlain, responding to the ambition of the client, Joseph Chamberlain, to create a breathtaking space.’ Phillada Ballard
