English Heritage vs. National Trust

So after our road trip last weekend, you may recall that we had become proud English Heritage Society members. We were so pumped about being able to visit all of these great places as many times as we wanted for FREE (with our small membership fee). I was very excited about visiting Ham House, which is 3/4 of a mile down the river from our flat. It was not built by King Henry VIII or even visited by King Henry VIII (it was after his reign and life for that matter), but it did host many Royal Court members and would allow me to see how those I've been reading about had lived.

We had been doing the Chandler dance (from Friends) as we walked down the river, singing "That's right, we're members...oh yeah, let us in..." When we arrived at the gates, Edgar proudly pulls out our temporary English Heritage Society membership cards (the Welcome Pack and real cards will arrive in 6-8 weeks). This is the exchange that happened between us and the entrance lady (AKA...National Trust Lady #1):

National Trust Lady #1: (in a very proper British accent) "Oh, right. That's English Heritage...we're National Trust."

EdVon: (in utter dismayed unison) "What?!?"

National Trust Lady #1: (showing our card to National Trust Lady #2) "This is English Heritage, right?"

National Trust Lady #2: (with her nose slightly turned up) "Oh yes, that's English Heritage. I can tell by the writing on the card. But we won't hold it against you...hahaha."

EdVon: (still dismayed and speechless) "What's the difference?"

National Trust Lady #1: "We are a non-profit and self supportive. The English Heritage is government supported and gives you access to old ruins and buildings that...are...free...anyways (her voice trailing off)."

The way they talked about the English Heritage, I could just imagine that the two groups were like rival gangs. Staunchy, British historian buffs would ask you the secret password and throw you their gang sign before letting you sit in the entrance booth (see above photo...I am throwing an E for English Heritage, Edgar a T for National Trust). I think we should become members of both and accidentally show the "wrong" card at the entrance gate, just to see what kind of response we get. I wonder if they consider membership in both akin to treason?

Well, you better believe I pulled out the English Heritage guidebook when we got home. Not only do we get discounts at gift shops all over Great Britian, but our audio guides are already paid for! And, there are plenty of places that require an entrance fee....and don't you know we will visit every single one. Guess the joke's on them, huh?