Introduction
The Gaskell’s house is a detached villa, retaining some of its original large
garden space. It was built about 1838 when Plymouth Grove was on the
outskirts of Manchester. It has beautiful reception rooms on the ground
floor, with their original doors, shutters and plasterwork. Upstairs are
the large airy bedrooms and below the very spacious domestic quarters
(without any of their original fittings).
When the house is restored it will tell its own story – not only the story
of Elizabeth Gaskell, her books and her family and the many leading
nineteenth-century literary figures who were their guests, but also
the history of the varied communities who have lived along Plymouth
Grove since it was first developed.
The Owners, Manchester Historic Buildings Trust
In 2004 the Trust acquired the freehold of 84 Plymouth Grove. We are a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee and a building preservation trust.
The Patrons of the Trust are Sir Neil Cossons (until recently the
Chairman of English Heritage), Gabrielle Drake the actress, who performs a one-woman show as Elizabeth Gaskell, Dame Judi Dench, star of the recent
acclaimed television Cranford and Jenny Uglow, biographer of Gaskell.
The Trust is working in partnership with English Heritage, the
University of Manchester, the Gaskell Society, Architectural Heritage
Fund, Association of Preservation Trusts, Cultural Regeneration for
Inner South Manchester, the Friends of Swinton Grove Park, Victoria
Baths, the Pankhurst House and others.
The Friends of Plymouth Grove run Open Days, Heritage Open Days, tours of the house and art projects for schools. We have welcomed many special interest groups, given numerous outreach lectures, collaborated with local tenants’ groups (who now use the house for meetings), and created new display and publicity materials. We always welcome new "friends"
Plans for use
It is suggested that the impressive main rooms on the ground floor
should be fully restored and open to the public. These include William
Gaskell’s study, the morning room and the spacious drawing and dining rooms. Historic paint and wallpaper analysis and late nineteenth century photographs will help to identify the appropriate interior decor.
The extensive lower ground floor will be adapted for educational and
community use - the biggest rooms will hold groups of 50-60 people. New
toilets will be installed and a lift for the disabled fitted. There will also be a catering kitchen.
The first floor which contains four large rooms (several capable of
holding groups of 30+ people) and two smaller ones will be let as
individual seminar rooms or offices.
The garden will be suitably landscaped to provide a setting for this
important house, using the map of 1850 as a starting point.
back to the top of the page
The Gaskell’s house is a detached villa, retaining some of its original large
garden space. It was built about 1838 when Plymouth Grove was on the
outskirts of Manchester. It has beautiful reception rooms on the ground
floor, with their original doors, shutters and plasterwork. Upstairs are
the large airy bedrooms and below the very spacious domestic quarters
(without any of their original fittings).
When the house is restored it will tell its own story – not only the story
of Elizabeth Gaskell, her books and her family and the many leading
nineteenth-century literary figures who were their guests, but also
the history of the varied communities who have lived along Plymouth
Grove since it was first developed.
The Owners, Manchester Historic Buildings Trust
In 2004 the Trust acquired the freehold of 84 Plymouth Grove. We are a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee and a building preservation trust.
The Patrons of the Trust are Sir Neil Cossons (until recently the
Chairman of English Heritage), Gabrielle Drake the actress, who performs a one-woman show as Elizabeth Gaskell, Dame Judi Dench, star of the recent
acclaimed television Cranford and Jenny Uglow, biographer of Gaskell.
The Trust is working in partnership with English Heritage, the
University of Manchester, the Gaskell Society, Architectural Heritage
Fund, Association of Preservation Trusts, Cultural Regeneration for
Inner South Manchester, the Friends of Swinton Grove Park, Victoria
Baths, the Pankhurst House and others.
The Friends of Plymouth Grove run Open Days, Heritage Open Days, tours of the house and art projects for schools. We have welcomed many special interest groups, given numerous outreach lectures, collaborated with local tenants’ groups (who now use the house for meetings), and created new display and publicity materials. We always welcome new "friends"
Plans for use
It is suggested that the impressive main rooms on the ground floor
should be fully restored and open to the public. These include William
Gaskell’s study, the morning room and the spacious drawing and dining rooms. Historic paint and wallpaper analysis and late nineteenth century photographs will help to identify the appropriate interior decor.
The extensive lower ground floor will be adapted for educational and
community use - the biggest rooms will hold groups of 50-60 people. New
toilets will be installed and a lift for the disabled fitted. There will also be a catering kitchen.
The first floor which contains four large rooms (several capable of
holding groups of 30+ people) and two smaller ones will be let as
individual seminar rooms or offices.
The garden will be suitably landscaped to provide a setting for this
important house, using the map of 1850 as a starting point.
back to the top of the page
84 Plymouth Grove
The Dining Room 1897
A few words...
This building is historically important, especially due to its association with Elizabeth Gaskell, a social commentator of
international standing on the industrialisation of England.” Henry Owen John,
English Heritage
“The house is ... of great historical significance to our city, our nation and indeed internationally. ...it has potential to be an important part of the regeneration of the Ardwick area”
Tony Lloyd
MP
“we remain strong supporters of the project, which we see as being one of very considerable regional importance”
Michael Oglesby,
Chairman,
Oglesby Trust
“the building’s heritage merits and the conservation benefits of
bringing it back into use are not disputed”
Michael Walmsley,
HLF
“I’m very pleased to hear that you are restoring 84 Plymouth
Grove, I raised the original money to buy it for the University, back
in the late sixties!... It was a marvellous house with a marvellous history”
Anna Ford
“I send my heart-felt support... Elizabeth Gaskell was a
wonderful writer, and also a major figure in the social and
intellectual life of Manchester. I am sure today’s Mancunians will be proud to see her home recovered and to important use.”
Joan Bakewell
This building is historically important, especially due to its association with Elizabeth Gaskell, a social commentator of
international standing on the industrialisation of England.” Henry Owen John,
English Heritage
“The house is ... of great historical significance to our city, our nation and indeed internationally. ...it has potential to be an important part of the regeneration of the Ardwick area”
Tony Lloyd
MP
“we remain strong supporters of the project, which we see as being one of very considerable regional importance”
Michael Oglesby,
Chairman,
Oglesby Trust
“the building’s heritage merits and the conservation benefits of
bringing it back into use are not disputed”
Michael Walmsley,
HLF
“I’m very pleased to hear that you are restoring 84 Plymouth
Grove, I raised the original money to buy it for the University, back
in the late sixties!... It was a marvellous house with a marvellous history”
Anna Ford
“I send my heart-felt support... Elizabeth Gaskell was a
wonderful writer, and also a major figure in the social and
intellectual life of Manchester. I am sure today’s Mancunians will be proud to see her home recovered and to important use.”
Joan Bakewell
More…
We recently received this delightful poem from Mr Philip Watts click here to download a copy in Adobe pdf format.
Fragment of early wallpaper from William Gaskells' study