Ancient House, Clare facts for kids
The Ancient House is a very old and special building in Clare, a town in Suffolk, England. It's made with a wooden frame (called timber-framed) and has cool decorations on its outside walls (called pargeted). It's so important that it's officially protected as a Grade I listed building, which means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.
Contents
Discovering the Ancient House's Past
How Old is the Ancient House?
The oldest part of the Ancient House, called the west wing, was built a long, long time ago in the 14th century. That's over 600 years ago! The other part, the east wing, which has lots of fancy decorations, was likely built in 1473. Imagine, that's even before Christopher Columbus sailed to America!
What Makes the House Special?
Inside, one of the rooms on the ground floor has a beautiful wooden ceiling with special designs. The house also has some amazing bay windows that stick out from the wall. These windows are carved with very detailed patterns. We know the house was important because it was mentioned in a legal document from 1502.
Saving the Ancient House
In the early 1930s, a local farmer named Charles W. Byford bought the Ancient House. He did this to stop it from being taken apart and moved all the way to the United States! In 1938, he gave the house to the Clare Parish Council. He wanted them to use it for something good for the public.
The House as a Museum
The council decided to open a museum in the house in 1979. This way, people could visit and learn about its history. In the 1990s, the museum got a big makeover. Groups like the Heritage Lottery Fund, St Edmundsbury District Council, and the Landmark Trust helped with money and ideas.
Today, the Ancient House is still a museum for visitors. But it's also used by the Landmark Trust as a special holiday home. This helps keep the old building in great shape for future generations to enjoy.
