Blakesley Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blakesley Hall |
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Blakesley Hall front façade
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| Location | Yardley |
| OS grid reference | SP 13042 86185 |
| Area | Birmingham |
| Built | 1590 |
| Architectural style(s) | Tudor |
| Governing body | Birmingham Museums Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Blakesley Hall | |
| Designated | 29 April 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1075711 |
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Blakesley Hall is a special historic building in Yardley, Birmingham, England. It is one of the oldest buildings in Birmingham. This amazing house was built in the Tudor period (around 1590). It shows off the classic Tudor style with its dark timber beams and white walls. These walls were made using a mix of sticks and mud called wattle-and-daub, covered with a white plaster called lime render.
The way the house was built, with many close-together timbers and cool patterns, showed how rich and important its owner was. The house also has parts that stick out on all sides, called "jetties." At the back of the hall, there is a brick kitchen that was added around 1650.
Contents
A Look at Blakesley Hall's History
Who Built Blakesley Hall?
Blakesley Hall was built in 1590. It was a timber-framed farmhouse. A man named Richard Smalbroke built it. He was an important person in Yardley at the time. His family farmed the land around the hall for many years.
From Family Home to Museum
After 1685, the Smalbroke family no longer owned the hall. It became a farm rented out to different people for about 200 years. In 1899, a man named Henry Donne bought it. He fixed up the old house. Later, the Merry family, who made paint, lived there. They were the last family to call Blakesley Hall home.
In 1935, Blakesley Hall became a museum. Its goal was to show the history of the local area. The museum was damaged by a bomb in 1941. It had to close for a long time. The museum finally reopened in 1957.
Restoring the Hall
In the 1970s, experts studied the hall. They wanted to make it look like it did in the past. They used old lists of what was inside the house from 1684. This helped them choose the right furniture and decorations.
The hall was updated again in 2002. A new visitor centre and car park were added. Some modern parts inside the hall were moved. This made space for another old-style room on the ground floor.
Discoveries and Special Features
Hidden Art and Old Designs
Many of the hall's original features are still there. This includes a special floor with a herringbone pattern. Old items like candlesticks and pewter cups have been found at the hall.
In one of the bedrooms, paintings from 1590 were found on the walls. They had been hidden for centuries! The bomb damage in 1941 actually helped uncover them. When the room was cleaned, experts saw pieces of painted plaster. The walls and timbers were decorated with a cool Moorish design. You can see a copy of how this "painted chamber" looked in one of the bedrooms today.
The Barn and Gilbertstone
Next to the hall is an old barn. It has also been fixed up. This barn is now used for exhibitions and events.
In the museum grounds, you can see a large stone called the Gilbertstone. Local stories say a giant named Gilbert moved it. This stone gave its name to the nearby area of Gilbertstone.
Blakesley Hall Today
Blakesley Hall is now a "Community Museum." It is part of the Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery. The Birmingham Museums Trust manages it. It is a great place to learn about history.
