MenuWashington Old Hall, Durham
Washington Old Hall is a historic manor house in Washington in County Durham. It lies in the centre of Washington, being surrounded by other villages. The building was the ancestral home of the family of George Washington, the first president of the United States. The earliest reference to the hall was in 973, when it stood as a wooden building, however, it was first built in stone in 1183. The manor was bought by Sir William de Hertburn, a knight from Hartburn near Stockton, in the late 12th century. In those days, people took on the surname of the village where they lived, so William changed his name to William de Wessyngton. This surname changed multiple times and his descendants finally settled on Washington. It is within the council area of Sunderland. More...
Historic England Grade I Listed 1354971.
Place Type: Mediæval House
Historic County: Durham
Lat, Long: 54.902764,-1.5164432
Grid Reference: NZ311565
Police Area: Northumbria
Council Area: Sunderland
Country: England
GBPNID: 305408
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Washington_Old_Hall,_Durham_305408
Peruse Durham on Wikishire
Over the years, additions were made to the home and a new hall was added in the 13th century. Further additions were made in 1613 when the Bishop of Durham acquired the property and it was the 17th century when most of what we see today was built. The Hall continued to be used as a residence until the 19th century, when it became tenement flats and gradually fell into disrepair.
In 1936 the building was declared unfit for human habitation, and was rescued from demolition by Fred Hill, a local teacher, who created what is now the 'Friends of the Old Hall' to press for restoration of the building. Restoration began in 1937. Preservation work stopped during World War II but was completed in 1955. The building was opened by the American Ambassador, Winthrop W. Aldrich. In 1957, the National Trust assumed responsibility for the building. In 1977, the Hall welcomed President Jimmy Carter and Prime Minister James Callaghan through its doors. It is a Grade I listed building.
Historic England Grade I Listed 1354971.
Place Type: Mediæval House
Historic County: Durham
Lat, Long: 54.902764,-1.5164432
Grid Reference: NZ311565
Police Area: Northumbria
Council Area: Sunderland
Country: England
GBPNID: 305408
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Washington_Old_Hall,_Durham_305408
Peruse Durham on WikishireOver the years, additions were made to the home and a new hall was added in the 13th century. Further additions were made in 1613 when the Bishop of Durham acquired the property and it was the 17th century when most of what we see today was built. The Hall continued to be used as a residence until the 19th century, when it became tenement flats and gradually fell into disrepair.
In 1936 the building was declared unfit for human habitation, and was rescued from demolition by Fred Hill, a local teacher, who created what is now the 'Friends of the Old Hall' to press for restoration of the building. Restoration began in 1937. Preservation work stopped during World War II but was completed in 1955. The building was opened by the American Ambassador, Winthrop W. Aldrich. In 1957, the National Trust assumed responsibility for the building. In 1977, the Hall welcomed President Jimmy Carter and Prime Minister James Callaghan through its doors. It is a Grade I listed building.