Oak House, West Bromwich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oak House, West Bromwich |
|
|---|---|
Oak House, West Bromwich
|
|
| Location | West Bromwich |
| Area | West Midlands county |
| Built | c. 1620 |
| Architectural style(s) | Tudor |
| Owner | Sandwell Council |
|
Listed Building – Grade I
|
|
| Official name: Oak House, West Bromwich | |
| Designated | 27 September 2024 |
| Reference no. | 1228226 |
|
Listed Building – Grade II*
|
|
| Designated | 25 February 1949 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Oak House is a very old building in West Bromwich, England. It is made of wood and was built a long time ago, in the early 16th century. It's a special place that tells us about history.
Contents
The Oak House: A Historic Home
The Oak House was built around 1620. We don't know who built it first. But a family called the Turtons lived there by 1634. They added brick parts to the back of the house in the 1650s. The Turton family owned the house until 1768. Then it went to William Whyley.
How the Oak House Got Its Name
The house is probably named after a big oak tree. This tree used to stand in front of the house. It burned down around the year 1800. Another idea is that it was named after the oak forests. These forests once grew all around the house. In 1768, many oak trees were cut down. They were used to build parts of the Birmingham Canal. By 1836, very few oak trees were left.
Famous Visitors and New Owners
A famous preacher named John Wesley visited the house. He gave talks there two times in the late 1700s. At that time, William Whyley owned the house. The Whyley family kept the house until 1837. After that, it had a few different owners. Then, Reuben Farley bought the property. He was the Mayor of West Bromwich three times.
From Home to Museum
Reuben Farley was a very kind person. He wanted to live in the Oak House himself. But then he decided to give it to the town. He wanted it to be a museum for everyone to enjoy.
Restoring the Old House
Two main architects in West Bromwich helped. Their names were Messrs. Wood and Kendrick. They worked to make the house look new again. Skilled workers did a great job restoring it. The museum officially opened on July 25, 1898. They also made beautiful gardens and a bowling green outside.
A Step Back in Time
Fifty years after it became a museum, something new happened. The town decided to make the Oak House a "period house." This meant they filled it with old furniture. It looked just like it would have in the past. This new version of the museum opened in 1951.
Protecting a Piece of History
The Oak House is a very important building. In 1949, it became a Grade II* listed building. This means it was protected by law. It was recognized as a special historical place. Later, on September 27, 2024, it became a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection. It shows how important the Oak House is to history.
