Hungerford Almshouses facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hungerford Almshouses |
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| Location | Pound Pill, Corsham, Wiltshire, England |
| Built | 1668 |
| Built for | Lady Margaret Hungerford |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 1 August 1986 |
| Reference no. | 315361 |
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The Hungerford Almshouses are a very old and special building in Corsham, Wiltshire, England. They were built way back in 1668 by a kind lady named Lady Margaret Hungerford. She lived nearby at Corsham Court. Today, these almshouses are recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means they are very important historically and architecturally.
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Discover the Hungerford Almshouses
The Hungerford Almshouses were created to help people in need. They provided homes for poor people and a place for children to learn. This historic site is located on the edge of Corsham town, close to the entrance of Corsham Court.
What are Almshouses?
Almshouses are special buildings that were built a long time ago to provide homes for people who were poor or elderly. They were often funded by wealthy individuals or charities. It was a way to offer shelter and support to those who needed it most in the community.
A Home and a School
The Hungerford Almshouses were designed with two main purposes. They offered homes for six (and later eight) poor people. They also had a schoolroom where ten children could get an education.
The building itself has an L-shape. Along one side, there are six houses, each made for a single woman. These houses have unique gables (the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof) and windows with stone bars called mullions. In the middle of this side, you can see a fancy carving of the Hungerford family's coat of arms.
On the other side of the L-shaped building, there is a house for the warden, who looked after the almshouses. There is also a combined schoolroom and chapel. The entrance to this part of the building has a tall, decorated porch.
Who Was Lady Margaret Hungerford?
Lady Margaret Hungerford was the person who paid for and founded these almshouses. She was the daughter of William Holliday, a very rich merchant and important city official from London. Lady Margaret was also the widow of Sir Edward Hungerford. She wanted to use her wealth to help her community by providing homes and education.
A Master of the Almshouse
Many years later, in 1802, a man named Edward Hasted became the Master of The Hungerford Almshouses. He was given this role by his friend William Bouverie, who had become the Earl of Radnor. Edward Hasted continued to be the Master from 1807 until he passed away in 1812. The Master was like a manager, overseeing the almshouses and making sure they ran properly.
Visiting the Almshouses Today
Today, the Hungerford Almshouses are known by a few different names, like "Lady Margaret Hungerford Almshouses & Schoolroom" or "Corsham Almshouses & 17th Century Schoolroom." They are no longer used as homes or a school in the same way. Instead, they are open to visitors as a historic attraction. This means people can come and explore the old building and learn about its interesting past.
