Washington Old Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Old Hall |
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Main entrance of the Washington Old Hall
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| General information | |
| Status | Used as a museum |
| Address | The Avenue, Washington Village |
| Town or city | Washington, Tyne and Wear |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 54°54′09.86″N 1°30′59.17″W / 54.9027389°N 1.5164361°W |
| Construction started | c. 1183 |
| Completed | 17th century |
| Client | William de Hertburn |
| Owner | National Trust |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Stone |
Washington Old Hall is a very old and important house in Washington, Tyne and Wear, England. It sits right in the middle of Washington village. This building was the family home of the ancestors of George Washington (1732–1799). He later became the first president of the United States!
Contents
History of Washington Old Hall
Early Beginnings of the Washington Family Home
The story of Washington Old Hall began a long time ago. Around the late 1100s, a man named William de Hertburne moved into the area. He was an ancestor of George Washington. William changed his name to William de Wessyngton, which later became Washington.
The Wessyngton family lived in this house for many years. In the early 1400s, the last Wessyngton family member to live there was Dionysia Tempest. Her cousin, Eleanor Wessyngton, was also part of the family.
Changes Over the Centuries
By 1613, the house was sold. Sir John Mallory, who was related to the Wessyngton family, moved away. The house then became owned by the Bishop of Durham.
The Hall was used as a home for many more years. But by the 1800s, it started to change. It became split into many small apartments, called tenement flats. Over time, the building became very old and run down.
Saving the Old Hall
In 1936, the house was in such bad shape that it was almost torn down. Luckily, a local teacher named Fred Hill stepped in to save it. He started a group called "Friends of the Old Hall." They worked hard to get the building fixed up.
Restoration work began in 1937. It had to stop during World War II, but it started again later. The repairs were finally finished in 1955. The American Ambassador, Winthrop W. Aldrich, helped open the restored building.
In 1957, the National Trust took over caring for Washington Old Hall. They are a group that looks after important historic places.
Friendship Across the Ocean
Because of its strong ties to George Washington, the city of Sunderland (where Washington Old Hall is located) made a special "friendship agreement" with Washington, D.C. in 2007. They hoped to build cultural and economic connections between the two places.
