Parc Howard Museum: Difference between revisions
add ref |
<ref name=HWales> |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
== History == |
== History == |
||
The lands originally were home to a far older property, Bryn-y-caerau |
The lands originally were home to a far older property, Bryn-y-caerau, which became part of the Stepney Estate. In 1853, the esate agreed a 99-year lease of the property and its associated lands to the [[Buckley brewing]] family.<ref name=HWales/> |
||
Eventually the property became home to James Buckley (1838-95) and his family, who commissioned his cousin James Buckley Wilson to design a new large scale addition to the house.<ref name=HWales/> However, still wanting more space and to express his money and influence, James Buckley recommissioned his cousin in 1882 to undertake a more extensive reconstruction to create the present [[Italianate architecture|Italiante]] style mock-castle in [[Bath stone]], known on opening in 1886 as Brynycaerau Castle.<ref name=Archiseek/> |
|||
Orientated south-east on te {{convert|27|acre}} site to over look the earlier structures grounds, there is a central three arched porte cochere (carriage porch), and the supporting side elevations have projecting bays. All except the rear elevation are [[symmetrical]], with square headed windows on the ground floor and arched windows above. The house is topped by a low pitched slate roof to give a castle-like feel on approach, behind ballustraded parapets with urn finials. There is also a tall [[belvedere tower]] rising at the rear. Behind the house sat a [[kitchen garden]] and associated small [[orchard]], with access to glasshouses, stables and coachhouse beyond.<ref name=Archiseek>{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2010/1886-bryncaerau-caermarthen-wales/|title=Parch Howard|publisher=ArchiSeek.com|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> |
Orientated south-east on te {{convert|27|acre}} site to over look the earlier structures grounds, there is a central three arched porte cochere (carriage porch), and the supporting side elevations have projecting bays. All except the rear elevation are [[symmetrical]], with square headed windows on the ground floor and arched windows above. The house is topped by a low pitched slate roof to give a castle-like feel on approach, behind ballustraded parapets with urn finials. There is also a tall [[belvedere tower]] rising at the rear. Behind the house sat a [[kitchen garden]] and associated small [[orchard]], with access to glasshouses, stables and coachhouse beyond.<ref name=Archiseek>{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2010/1886-bryncaerau-caermarthen-wales/|title=Parch Howard|publisher=ArchiSeek.com|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> |
||
| Line 21: | Line 23: | ||
==Collection & exhibits== |
==Collection & exhibits== |
||
Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery is best known for its large and representative collection of the locally-made [[Llanelly Pottery]] (1839 - 1920). It also houses paintings, portraits and other art works and displays artifacts relating to the local area, its history and culture. There is a cafe attached to the eastern end of the main house. |
Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery is best known for its large and representative collection of the locally-made [[Llanelly Pottery]] (1839 - 1920). It also houses paintings, portraits and other art works and displays artifacts relating to the local area, its history and culture. There is a cafe attached to the eastern end of the main house. |
||
==Haunted house== |
|||
Many people who have visited or stayed at the house have reported hearing a knocking sound coming from the walls at the back of the property. Although extensively investigated over the years by the councils workmen and surveyors, nothig has yet been foud to explain the noise. |
|||
A search of the [[title deads]] and land records later suggested that Bryn-y-caerau may have been the site of an ancient burial ground. Locals suggest that during the time of James Buckley, the lover of one of the kitchen maids hid in the extensive chimney system to avoid being caught by the children's the governess. After he got lost, it is assumed that the tapping comes from the since long dead sole. During both [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], the property was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers, some of whom have said to be seen waving from now blocked-off windows.<ref name=HWales>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=33501d57-7797-4729-aa71-8384a92e01b9|title=Parc Howard and Carmarthenshire museums under threat|publisher=Haunted Wales|date=20 December 2011|accessdate=22 February 2013}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 01:56, 22 February 2013
Parc Howard Museum & Art Gallery is an Italianate architecture country house converted into a museum and civic park, located north of the tow centre of Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
History
The lands originally were home to a far older property, Bryn-y-caerau, which became part of the Stepney Estate. In 1853, the esate agreed a 99-year lease of the property and its associated lands to the Buckley brewing family.[1]
Eventually the property became home to James Buckley (1838-95) and his family, who commissioned his cousin James Buckley Wilson to design a new large scale addition to the house.[1] However, still wanting more space and to express his money and influence, James Buckley recommissioned his cousin in 1882 to undertake a more extensive reconstruction to create the present Italiante style mock-castle in Bath stone, known on opening in 1886 as Brynycaerau Castle.[2]
Orientated south-east on te 27 acres (11 ha) site to over look the earlier structures grounds, there is a central three arched porte cochere (carriage porch), and the supporting side elevations have projecting bays. All except the rear elevation are symmetrical, with square headed windows on the ground floor and arched windows above. The house is topped by a low pitched slate roof to give a castle-like feel on approach, behind ballustraded parapets with urn finials. There is also a tall belvedere tower rising at the rear. Behind the house sat a kitchen garden and associated small orchard, with access to glasshouses, stables and coachhouse beyond.[2]
After inheriting the property via his second wife, the noted Liberal politician Sir Stafford Howard agreed to sell the property to Llanelli Borough Council. However, the property was in need of extensive renovation and modernisation, and so a 999-year lease was agreed with the Stanley family estate, on the conditions that:[3]
- The estate to be laid out by a competent gardener as a people’s park
- The house to be converted into a local museum or otherwise used for the benefit or enjoyment of the public
- The whole to be kept in order in order for the purpose to which it is devoted
- No intoxicating liquor to be sold on any part of the house or councils grounds
- The rent to be £5 per annum and the work to be completed (so) that the park can be opened to the public on 21 September, 1912
As agreed the park opened on 21 September 1912, providing 27 acres (11 ha) of parkland, now a civic park.
The site on Felinfoel Road (A476) is now managed by Carmarthenshire County Council. After being threatened with closure by the council in 2011,[4] local people formed the Parc Howard Association to ensure that the house remained opened and available for its specific donated purpose.[5]
Collection & exhibits
Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery is best known for its large and representative collection of the locally-made Llanelly Pottery (1839 - 1920). It also houses paintings, portraits and other art works and displays artifacts relating to the local area, its history and culture. There is a cafe attached to the eastern end of the main house.
Haunted house
Many people who have visited or stayed at the house have reported hearing a knocking sound coming from the walls at the back of the property. Although extensively investigated over the years by the councils workmen and surveyors, nothig has yet been foud to explain the noise.
A search of the title deads and land records later suggested that Bryn-y-caerau may have been the site of an ancient burial ground. Locals suggest that during the time of James Buckley, the lover of one of the kitchen maids hid in the extensive chimney system to avoid being caught by the children's the governess. After he got lost, it is assumed that the tapping comes from the since long dead sole. During both World War I and World War II, the property was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers, some of whom have said to be seen waving from now blocked-off windows.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Parc Howard and Carmarthenshire museums under threat". Haunted Wales. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Parch Howard". ArchiSeek.com. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Parch Howard". Llanellich.org.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Parc Howard and Carmarthenshire museums under threat". BBC Wales. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ Parc Howard Association
External links
- Parc Howard Museum & Art Gallery - Parc Howard Museum & Art Gallery official page
- Parc Howard Association
- Exhibits from Parc Howard Museum on Gathering the Jewels
