English Heritage decided to conserve rather than restore Brodsworth Hall Essay Example
English Heritage has made significant changes to Brodsworth Hall in order to open it to tourists while also preserving it. These changes have included the addition of a new roof and the creation of a tea room. As a result, there have been both positive and negative effects on the hall and its grounds. These changes have also impacted our understanding of life in a Victorian country house.
Described in the dictionary as 'making it last', this essay will explore the impact of English Heritage's conservation of Brodsworth hall on our understanding of Victorian country house life. One challenge in comprehending this era is comprehending the role of servants. The hall was occupied until '88, but Sylvia Grant-Dalton did not require many servants and utilized their quarters for storage. The rooms contained modern appliances such as televisions, irons, and va
...cuums, while the bare beds in the bedrooms lacked mattresses. Nevertheless, the rooms retained their original features such as wardrobes, windows, and wash basins.
Upon receiving the hall, English Heritage opted to convert the male servants rooms into a tea room while the main servants social area now serves as a gift shop. As a result, it has become difficult to understand how these servants used to relax and entertain themselves. Albeit a potential source of tourism revenue, the gift shop offerings were observed to be overpriced and some items had no apparent connection with Brodsworth hall nor the Victorian era. Meanwhile, unlike the male servants rooms, the female servants rooms were left untouched. However, this could pose a threat to the longevity of that part of the building as frequent alterations have been made, including the installation
of cookers which could potentially set the house ablaze.
The transformation of the children's day nursery into an education room by English Heritage neglected to showcase the children's lifestyle. Despite the room's informative content on the servants' devices and the typical inventory of a Victorian country house, it failed to depict a crucial aspect of country life. The room contained only the original wallpaper and lacked any indication of its layout. However, various elements in the room, such as insect traps, revealed imperfections.
In the rooms, there were inconspicuous little white triangles intended for trapping insects. These were placed discreetly behind doors and in fireplaces, although they could still be seen upon close inspection. A potent odor of pheromones permeated throughout the house, but to me, it simply smelled like an old musty house, without much impact on my perception of Victorian country life. Upon acquiring the entrance hall, English Heritage noticed that the carpet was worn and dilapidated. As a result, they redesigned it to match the stairs.
The 'Brodsworth Star' is the name of the carpet design which was originally made from wool. The cost of the original piece today would be i?? 45000. The preservation of Brodsworth Hall has demonstrated the significance of keeping historical buildings intact by allowing us to experience what it was like during the 1860s. English Heritage cleaned many of the walls and ceilings which had become dirty, revealing water-based paints that required dry brushing to clean. In the drawing room, there is a montage depicting cherubs and the four seasons, which was a popular late Georgian fashion that was painted during the Victorian era.
The Gardens at Brodsworth
Hall spans across 15 acres of garden and parkland, which were planted during the third quarter of the 19th century. Following the year 1920, the gardens were given minimal attention, resulting in several sections such as the flower garden or the grove. These sections possess a symmetrical design, which was popular during the era.
During the Georgian era, gardens were characterized by open expanses of grass, a stark contrast to the Victorian preference for floral gardens. The Georgian gardens were often the site of various games and sports, including croquet and archery. These gardens also featured a target house for archery, originally thatched but now roved. The Victorian-style gardens have been preserved and remain unchanged, providing valuable insight into life in a Victorian country house.
After visiting Brodsworth Hall, I believe English Heritage made a wise choice in conserving it. The layout of the hall is convenient for exploration, allowing visitors to easily observe a variety of interesting details. Although we were unable to view all the rooms, the room we did see was fascinating and helped me gain significant insights into Victorian life. Nevertheless, I do take issue with the decision to place an education centre within the hall. While I appreciate the concept of providing educational resources, I feel that prioritizing the well-being of children should have come first.
Brodsworth Hall may appeal to tourists, but historians may find it lacking in historical accuracy. Some rooms contain inaccuracies such as record players and TVs. While it is unlikely that Brodsworth Hall will ever be completely historically accurate, it remains a popular destination for tourists. Preservation efforts were commendable, though perhaps more attention to detail could have
improved the site before opening it to the public.
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