Highbury Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highbury Hall |
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| Type | House |
| Location | Moseley, Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| Built | 1879 |
| Built for | Joseph Chamberlain |
| Current use | Wedding / Conference Venue |
| Architect | J. H. Chamberlain |
| Architectural style(s) | Arts & Crafts, Venetian Gothic |
| Governing body | Leased to Chamberlain Highbury Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Highbury Hall | |
| Designated | 21 January 1970 |
| Reference no. | 1076076 |
| Official name: Highbury Park | |
| Designated | 1 July 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1001203 |
| Grade | II |
Highbury Hall is a beautiful old house in Moseley, Birmingham, in the United Kingdom. It's a very important building, listed as a Grade II* historic site. This means it's super special and needs to be protected!
A famous politician named Joseph Chamberlain had Highbury Hall built in 1878. He was a member of parliament for Birmingham at the time. The house got its name from a place in London called Highbury, where Joseph Chamberlain lived when he was a kid.
The person who designed this amazing house was an architect named John Henry Chamberlain. He wasn't related to Joseph, but he made the house look unique with lots of special clay decorations called terracotta.
Contents
The Story of Highbury Hall
Joseph Chamberlain lived in Highbury Hall from 1880 until he passed away in 1914. One visitor, Beatrice Webb, once said the house felt very dark and gloomy.
Inside the House and Gardens
Chamberlain was a very important politician. He received many gifts during his time as the Colonial Secretary. He filled Highbury Hall with these special presents.
He also used the house for political meetings. His friends and allies would come for dinner on Saturday evenings. This helped him influence important decisions in the local area.
Next to the house, Chamberlain had amazing orchid houses. Orchids are beautiful flowers. He would send fresh orchids from his gardens to his London home every few days when Parliament was meeting. The gardens themselves were magnificent, even having a lake. Chamberlain carefully watched over their creation.
Highbury Hall During Wartime
During World War I, Highbury Hall was used to help soldiers. It became a hospital annex and a home for soldiers who were disabled.
In 1919, Joseph Chamberlain's older son, Austen Chamberlain, gave the house to a group of trustees. Later, in 1932, it was given to the Corporation of Birmingham. They used it as a home for elderly women.
Restoration and New Life
In 1984, Birmingham City Council restored Highbury Hall. Today, it's used as a conference center. Sometimes, it even becomes a restaurant for special events. Visitors can look at the living rooms and bedrooms when they are clients.
The land around the hall is now Highbury Park. This is a public park that everyone can visit. It's also a Grade II listed parkland, meaning it's historically important.
Future Plans for Highbury Hall
In 2016, a group called the Chamberlain Highbury Trust took over the site. They have a long lease from Birmingham City Council.
Bringing Highbury Hall to Everyone
In 2018, they started a big fundraising campaign. They want to raise £8 million to restore the building and the park. Their goal is to open Highbury Hall to the public for the very first time.
The plans include creating an exhibition. This exhibition will teach people about the lives of the Chamberlain family and the history of the hall. They also want to add a café. Highbury Hall will still be used for weddings and conferences, too.
