Washington Old Hall

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 17 Jun 2012

Washington Old Hall is a manor house which lies in the centre of Washington village. The manor was the ancestral home of the family of George Washington, the first President of the United States and much of the advertising* is based on this historic association although the Wessyngton (Washington) Family had not owned Washington Old Hall since the early 1400s, some 300 years before the birth of George Washington. The Hall was 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, what is now, the "Friends of the Old Hall" who began to press for restoration of the building which was finally completed in 1955 after a pause for World War II. In 1957 the National Trust assumed responsibility for the building. *”At the heart of historic Washington village this picturesque stone manor house and its gardens provide a tranquil oasis, reflecting gentry life following the turbulence of the English Civil War. The building incorporates parts of the original medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors, and it is from here that the family took their surname of Washington” http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall/ (National Trust: Washington Old Hall).

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