Whitehall, Cheam facts for kids
Whitehall in Cheam
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| Location | Cheam, London Borough of Sutton |
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| Type | Historic house museum |
| Public transit access |  Cheam |
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Whitehall is a very old house in Cheam Village, London. It's a special kind of museum called a historic house museum. People think it was built around the year 1500. It was probably a farmer's home back then. Today, it's a Grade II* listed building, which means it's very important and protected.
Contents
Exploring Whitehall's Rooms
This historic house shows details from different time periods. You can see styles from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras. Each era added its own touch to the house.
What You Can See Inside
The house has several interesting rooms. These include the main hall and the parlour. The parlour might have been the original kitchen long ago. There is also a lower kitchen and a porch room.
Art and History Displays
You can visit the Roy Smith art gallery. This room was once a washroom or scullery. There's also the Harriet Killick dressing room. One special room has a display about Nonsuch Palace. This grand palace was built nearby by King Henry VIII. It was taken down in the 1680s.
The Medieval Well
In the garden, you can find a medieval well. This well provided water for an even older building on this same spot. It shows how long people have lived here.
Whitehall's Past: Key Moments
Whitehall has a rich history with some famous visitors. It has also been home to important institutions.
Queen Elizabeth I's Visit
It is said that Queen Elizabeth I once used Whitehall. She held a quick meeting there to sign papers. This happened while she was on a hunting trip from Nonsuch Palace. Because of this, some people used to call it "The Council House."
Home of Cheam School
The oldest private school in the country started here. The Cheam School was founded at Whitehall in Cheam in 1645. This shows how important the house has been for education.
Who Lived at Whitehall?
Many different people have owned and lived in Whitehall over the centuries. Each family added to its story.
The Boevey Family
It is believed that James Boevey lived here. He was a merchant, lawyer, and philosopher. He lived in the house from about 1670 until he passed away.
The Killick Family's Legacy
From 1741 to 1963, the Killick family called Whitehall home. Captain James Killick was born here in 1816. He became a famous captain of a tea clipper ship called Challenger. He also started his own company, Killick Martin & Company.
Whitehall as a Museum
Whitehall became a public museum so everyone could enjoy its history. It has been carefully restored for visitors.
Opening to the Public
The local council bought the house in 1963. After a lot of restoration work, it opened to the public in 1978. Today, the London Borough of Sutton and the Friends of Whitehall help run it.
Recent Renovations
The museum closed in 2016 for a big renovation. They spent £1.6 million to improve the building. It reopened in June 2018 with better facilities. Jill Whitehead, a council leader, said the project was very important. She noted that Whitehall is one of the borough's oldest and most historic buildings.
