Agecroft Hall Panorama Hdr

Title

Agecroft Hall Panorama Hdr

Artist

Greg Reed

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

Agecroft Hall rests serenely on the banks of the James River in Richmond, Virginia, more than 3,000 miles from its original home overlooking the River Irwell in Lancashire, England. Situated today in Richmond's Windsor Farms neighborhood, it is not a reconstruction, but a synthesis of Tudor and 20th century styles. It incorporates many of the decorative features and some of the structural elements of the original Agecroft Hall in England. It boasts original windows, ornately paneled wood interiors, period paintings and lavish furnishings.

The grounds and gardens add to Agecroft Hall's charm. Visitors are attracted to the stately boxwoods, aromatic roses, and medicinal herbs, all typical of an English manor home of days gone by. Agecroft Hall is more than a tribute to the past. Today, its exhibits and various programs have helped history come to life for generations of modern visitors.

Source: http://www.agecrofthall.com/View.aspx?page=about


The story of Agecroft Hall begins more than 500 years ago in the northwestern county of Lancashire, England. Thereafter follows a long and colorful history that documents the lives of the Langley and Dauntesey families in Lancashire and the Williams family in America. Much of the information known about Agecroft and its inhabitants comes from archival material that was preserved at Agecroft until the early 20th century. These remarkable documents, some of which are retained at Agecroft today, include deeds, settlements, and royal letters dated between 1199 and 1926.

Agecroft Hall was built on land in the Irwell River Valley, between the villages of Prestwich and Pendlebury, not far from the city of Manchester. The house was constructed in stages over the course of many years, and was expanded according to the needs of the residents. The greatest expansion took place under the auspices of William Dauntesey in the mid-16th century.

By the late 16th century, Agecroft was a quadrangular structure surrounding a central courtyard. The house contained approximately 20 rooms, including a kitchen, great hall, great parlor, dining parlor, several bedchambers, and a private chapel.

In 1561, Sir Robert Langley, last of the male Langley heirs, died, leaving Agecroft and adjoining lands in Pendlebury to his daughter, Ann Langley. She married William Dauntesey of London and Wiltshire sometime before 1570. Upon their marriage, Agecroft Hall became the property of of the Dauntesey family and remained so until 1811. Thereafter, as was often the custom when distant relatives inherited English estates, subsequent owners assumed the Dauntesey name.

Developments during the Industrial Revolution, such as the discovery and mining of coal near the house and the placement of railroad tracks through the property, led to the deterioration of the house. in 1867, attempts to modernize Agecroft resulted in the destruction of much of the interior of the original building. Additional modernization took place in 1894 after a serious fire destroyed the east and south wings of the house.

Finally, with increasing industrial development, the residents of Agecroft moved away. The house was unoccupied from 1904 until 1925 when it was put up for auction.

Source: http://www.agecrofthall.com/View.aspx?page=history/england



Rebuilding in America


Mr. Thomas C. Williams, Jr. of Richmond, Virginia, a wealthy entrepreneur, purchased Agecroft Hall upon the advice of this architect, Henry G. Morse. Mr. Williams, whose financial interests included tobacco, banking, and shipping, wished to build a true English manor house on his 23 acres overlooking the James River. Agecroft was dismantled, crated, transported across the ocean, and reconstructed in Richmond's Windsor Farms neighborhood. Windsor Farms was the fashionable new neighborhood being developed by Mr. Williams on the Williams' family farm site which had long been known as 'Windsor.'

The architect, Mr. Morse, was retained to oversee the reconstruction. The intention was not to replicate Agecroft as it had stood in Lancashire, but rather to create a functional and comfortable house reminiscent of its English predecessor. The original floor plan was abandoned and many 20th century conveniences were included. Reconstruction took two years and cost approximately $250,000, a considerable sum for that time. The project was completed during the spring of 1928.

Sadly, the following year Mr. Williams died. With great foresight and generosity, he stipulated in his will that upon his widow's death or relocation, Agecroft Hall would become a house museum. The core of the endowment for the museum came from the estates of Mr. Williams, his brother, A.D. Williams, and his sister, Sue Williams Massie. The museum is administered by the Agecroft Association, under the control of a Board of Trustees. The house and gardens opened to the public in 1969.

Source: http://www.agecrofthall.com/View.aspx?page=history/america

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November 14th, 2017

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