Guildford House
| Guildford House | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
 Guildford House | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU99824951 |
| Location: | 51°14’10"N, -0°34’16"W |
| Town: | Guildford |
| History | |
| Address: | 155 High Street |
| Built 1660 | |
| For: | John Childs |
| Town house | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Guildford Borough Council |
Guildford House is a historic house at 155 High Street, Guildford, the county town of Surrey. Built in 1660, it is currently a municipal museum and art gallery.
The house is a Grade I listed building in part for having many original features including a carved staircase, panelled rooms, original decorative plaster ceilings and wrought iron window fittings. Also for its timber-framed basic structure, which is clad to the front in painted wood and to the rear in mathematical tiles and tile-hanging.[1]
History
The house was originally built for John Childs, a lawyer and who served as Mayor of Guildford on three occasions. In 1726 the house was bought by John Martyr, also a lawyer, and remained in the family until 1850 when it was bought by Frank Apted as a shop for his brush and carpentry business.
From 1914 to 1928 the house was a stationers and booksellers. After a year as the carpet department of the adjoining drapers store, it was converted into a restaurant in 1929 which operated until 1956.[2]
Today
The house contains some of Guildford Borough Council's art collection including the world's largest public collection of pastel portraits by Guildford-born artist, John Russell, RA (1745–1806). Guildford House hosts changing exhibitions throughout the year. In June 2009, the administration of Guildford House, with Guildford Museum, Guildford Guildhall and Guildford Castle were brought together and run collectively as 'Guildford Heritage'.
Outside links
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1180153: Guildford House
- ↑ "The Martyr Family". https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/17204/The-Martyr-Family-. Retrieved 4 October 2018.