Pickford's House Museum facts for kids
 |
|
| Location | Derby, Derbyshire |
|---|---|
Pickford's House Museum is a special place in Derby, England. It shows what life was like during the Georgian era. The museum is named after Joseph Pickford, a famous architect who built this house for his family in 1770. It became a museum in 1988. This building is very important, so it's called a Grade I listed building.
Contents
History of Pickford's House
Pickford's House is located at 41 Friar Gate in Derby. It is a beautiful Georgian town house. The well-known architect Joseph Pickford built it in 1770 for his own family.
Who Owned the House?
When Joseph Pickford passed away, he left the house to his relative, Reverend Joseph Pickford. The house was made bigger and split into two separate homes. In 1844, Reverend Joseph Pickford left the house to his cousin, William Pickford.
William Pickford soon used the house as a loan guarantee. By 1850, it was sold to William Evans from Allestree Hall. His son, Sir Thomas William Evans, who was also a politician, sold it in 1879. Frederick Ward bought it next, and then sold it to William Curgenven. William Curgenven was the first of several doctors to own the house.
Protecting the Building
In 1977, the house's importance was recognized even more. Its status was upgraded from Grade II to Grade I. This means it is a building of exceptional interest. Derby City Council bought the house in 1982. However, they did not always follow the rules for a Grade I listed building. They removed parts like chimneys, floors, and walls without getting permission first.
Since October 2012, the Derby Museums Trust has been in charge of Pickford's House. They make sure it is looked after properly.
Exploring the Museum
The museum opened in 1988. It shows how a professional person lived in the late Georgian period. The ground floor is set up just like it would have been in Joseph Pickford's time. You can also see displays of clothes from the 1700s and 1800s.
What Can You See Inside?
Joseph Pickford built this house to show off his work. He hoped it would help him get new clients. It was also his family home. Unlike many grand houses open to the public, this one was not owned by a rich noble. It belonged to a working professional.
You can compare the fancy Pickford family bedroom and dressing room with the servants' bedrooms upstairs. The family rooms are decorated as they would have looked in 1815. The house also has kitchens, a scullery, and a laundry room. These areas are kept as they might have been in 1830.
Behind the house, Pickford had his builder's yard. You could get to it by a driveway on the right side of the property. The cellar of the house is decorated to look like a bomb shelter from the 1940s. The museum also has a special collection of model toy theatres. These were collected by Frank Bradley.
See also
In Spanish: Pickford's House Museum para niños
- Grade I listed buildings in Derbyshire
- Listed buildings in Derby (northern area)
