Lady Stair's House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lady Stair's House |
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The building in 2012
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| Location | Lady Stair's Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Stewart Henbest Capper |
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Listed Building – Category A
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| Official name: Lawnmarket, Lady Stair's Close, Lady Stair's House | |
| Designated | 14 December 1970 |
| Reference no. | LB29231 |
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Lady Stair's House is a famous building in Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands in a small alley called Lady Stair's Close, right off the Lawnmarket. The building you see today was finished in 1892.
This historic house is considered a very important building. It's a "Category A listed building", which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. Today, Lady Stair's House is home to the Writers' Museum, where you can learn all about famous Scottish writers.
A House with a Story
The building we see now isn't the original one. It was built in 1892 to look like an old medieval house. An architect named Stewart Henbest Capper designed it.
From Old to New
The original house that stood here was built way back in 1622. It belonged to Sir William Gray of Pittendrum. You can still see a stone above the entrance with the year 1622 carved into it. It also has the initials "WG" and "GS" for William Gray and his wife, Geida Smith. There's even an old message carved there: "FEARE THE LORD AND DEPART FROM EVILL".
After Sir William Gray passed away, his wife, Lady Gray, continued to live in the house. Because of her, the building was first known as Lady Gray's House. The alley it's on was called Lady Gray's Close.
How it Got its Name
The house later got its current name from Lady Stair. She was Elizabeth Dundas, the granddaughter of Sir William Gray. She bought the house in 1719. Lady Stair was a well-known person in society at the time.
In 1825, a brushmaker named John Russel bought the house. His family lived there for many years, until 1895.
Saving History
By the 1890s, the original house was quite old. It was inherited by Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery. He was encouraged by a town planner named Patrick Geddes. Geddes wanted to save and improve Edinburgh's historic Old Town, which was being torn down in many places.
So, in 1890, the original house was taken down. Then, in 1892, the new building was constructed. It was built to look like the old one, but it was a completely new structure. In 1907, the Earl of Rosebery gave this new house to the city of Edinburgh. He wanted it to be used as a museum for everyone to enjoy. That's when it officially became known as "Lady Stair's House."
Today, Lady Stair's House is a special part of Edinburgh's history. It helps us remember the past and celebrate Scottish writers.
See also
- List of listed buildings in Edinburgh
- Writers' Museum
