Perrott's Folly facts for kids
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Perrott's Folly is a tall, old tower in Edgbaston, a part of Birmingham, United Kingdom. It's also called The Monument or The Observatory. This impressive tower stands about 29 metres (96 feet) high and was built way back in 1758. It's considered a very important historic building, known as a Grade II* listed building.
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History of Perrott's Folly
The tower was built in 1758 by a man named John Perrott. He lived in Belbroughton, and the tower was built in an open area called Rotton Park. Today, Perrott's Folly stands tall among homes and businesses in the area.
Why Was the Tower Built?
There are many interesting stories about why John Perrott decided to build this tower.
- One idea is that he wanted to look out over his land. He might have also used it to entertain guests.
- Another story suggests the tower was used to spot animals for hunting.
- A more touching story says he built it so he could see his wife's grave, which was about 24 kilometres (15 miles) away.
The Tower as a Weather Station
For many years, from 1884 to 1979, Perrott's Folly was used as a special weather station. It helped the Birmingham and Midland Institute record weather information. Later, in 1966, the Geography Department of the University of Birmingham took over running the observatory. They continued to use it until their operations moved to the main university campus.
A Link to J. R. R. Tolkien?
Some people believe that Perrott's Folly might have inspired parts of the famous books by J. R. R. Tolkien. Tolkien, who wrote The Lord of the Rings, lived nearby as a child. It's thought that the towers of Perrott's Folly and the Edgbaston Waterworks might have influenced the towers he wrote about in his stories. However, this idea has not been fully proven.
Future of Perrott's Folly
In 1984, a group called the Perrott's Folly Company was created. Their goal was to fix up the tower and make it a place that people could visit. They received money from English Heritage and Birmingham City Council to help make the building safe.
Restoration Efforts
In the summer of 2005, the Perrott's Folly Company worked with the Birmingham Conservation Trust. They finished important work to make the tower's structure stable. However, more money is still needed to complete all the necessary repairs to some of its key parts.
Opening to the Public
The tower has been opened to the public a few times.
- In April 2008, it was opened temporarily for an art exhibition. This was done in partnership with the Ikon Gallery.
- It opened again in May 2008 as part of a special weekend. This event celebrated the life and work of J. R. R. Tolkien.
The Perrott's Folly Company officially closed in August 2009. From 2005 to 2017, the tower was looked after by the Trident Housing Association. Today, it is managed by Re.Future Collective, which is an arts and architecture group based in Birmingham.
