Guildford House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guildford House |
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Guildford House museum and art gallery
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| Type | Town house |
| Location | 155 High Street, Guildford, Surrey |
| OS grid reference | SU 99825 49515 |
| Built | 1660 |
| Owner | Guildford Borough Council |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Guildford House | |
| Designated | 1 May 1953 |
| Reference no. | 1180153 |
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Guildford House is a really old and interesting building located on High Street in Guildford, Surrey, England. It was built way back in 1660! Today, it's a cool place to visit because it's a public museum and art gallery.
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The Story of Guildford House
Guildford House has a long and varied history. It was first built in 1660 for a man named John Childs. He was a lawyer and even became the Mayor of Guildford three times!
Who Lived and Worked Here?
In 1726, another lawyer, John Martyr, bought the house. His family owned it for many years, until 1850. After that, a man named Frank Apted bought it. He turned the house into a shop for his brush and carpentry business.
From 1914 to 1928, Guildford House was a stationers and booksellers shop. Imagine buying your school supplies there! For one year, it was even the carpet department of a nearby clothing store. Then, in 1929, it became a restaurant and stayed that way until 1956.
Why Is This House Special?
Guildford House is a very important building. It is a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered a building of exceptional historical and architectural interest. It has many original features that are still there today.
For example, you can see a beautifully carved staircase inside. Some rooms still have their original wooden panels and decorative plaster ceilings. Even the wrought iron fittings on the windows are original! The house also has a timber-framed structure, which is covered with painted wood on the front and special tiles on the back.
Guildford House Today
Today, Guildford House is a vibrant museum and art gallery. It's a great place to explore art and history.
Art and Exhibitions
The house displays some of the Guildford borough's amazing art collection. This includes the world's largest public collection of pastel portraits by a famous artist named John Russell. He was born in Guildford in 1745 and was a very talented painter.
Guildford House also hosts different art exhibitions throughout the year. There's always something new and exciting to see!
Guildford Heritage
Since June 2009, Guildford House has been part of a group called 'Guildford Heritage'. This group also includes the Guildford Museum, Guildford Guildhall, and Guildford Castle. They all work together to share Guildford's rich history and culture with everyone.
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Astrolabe by Richard Quinnel in the courtyard
