Gracious living, Victorian style

Your genial host, Robert Ropner

Your genial host, Robert Ropner

It’s always nice to be made welcome and Preston Park Museum  does this with real warmth and imagination.  There’s even a welcoming speech, delivered by our host, glass in hand.

Built in 1825, Preston Hall was purchased by wealthy shipping magnate Robert Ropner in 1882. Major alterations added a grand entrance porch and Winter Garden, ballroom and billiards room, the whole enclosed in beautifully landscaped gardens, befitting his social status.  Ropner served as Conservative MP for Stockton from 1900-1910.  Life was exceedingly grand and a fleet of servants kept the household running smoothly.

Ropner died, aged 85, in 1924 and the hall and park were subsequently purchased by Stockton Council.  Preston Hall Museum opened its doors to the public in 1953.  As a small girl I can remember being taken there.  The house itself was a warren of rooms, stuffed full of Victorian furniture, and with the addition of a Victorian street.

The entrance porch, Preston Hall
The Winter Garden or conservatory
The Victorian street

The museum was beginning to look a little tired when Stockton Council acquired funding for a massive renovation.  In 2012 there was a grand reopening.  I wasn’t at all sure what I would find.

IMG_3216

But I found myself immensely impressed.  The house was light and bright, with beautifully showcased and hugely varied exhibits.  Here are just a few of my favourites.

Fabulous pottery

Fabulous pottery

Beautiful glassware

Beautiful glassware

Exquisite fabrics and jewellery

Exquisite fabrics and jewellery

Exotic sword guards

Exotic sword guards

Delicate cameos

Delicate cameos

Remember the snuff box? Here's another!

Remember the snuff box from Six word Saturday? Here’s another!

Touches of humour illuminate the commentary as you walk through the house, nor are they the only source of illumination.

This stained glass is from a former Methodist church in Stockton

This stained glass is from a former Methodist church in Stockton

There is so much that I could share, but I don’t want to spoil it for you, in case you ever go there. It’s like a Pandora’s Box of Victoriana, with each room a new delight as you wind up through the house.  There’s a nod to shipping, on which Ropner built his fortune.  A local cabinet maker’s craft is showcased.  Even some worn but lovely Victorian scrapbooks are there.  I’d quite forgotten the art!

A lovely fireplace
A delicate cup and inkwell
A Victorian bath and shower
A scary fireplace!
The symbol of Stockton-on Tees
A Victorian scrapbook
And the longest wooden paddle steamer!

Naturally our railway heritage is celebrated.  This is the home of steam, and a famous journey took place locally on 27th September, 1825.

IMG_3261

Overall I felt really proud of our accomplishments here in the north east of England.  Afterwards I took myself for a stroll in the grounds and down to the River Tees.

I loved the reflections in the water and that hint of blue sky

I loved the reflections in the water and that hint of blue sky

The aviary used to be full of birds, now mysteriously flown!

The aviary used to be full of birds, all mysteriously flown!
I watched a remote control aeroplane for a while- can you spot it?

Then I watched a remote control aeroplane for a while- can you spot it?

This post is a follow up to my Six word Saturday and I’m afraid the subject isn’t quite closed yet. The Victorian Street will have to be a subject for another day.  Then there’s the Butterfly House, which doesn’t open until March.  You will come back, won’t you?

I almost forgot to say that admission to the museum costs just £2 (£1 if you’re a concession!) and includes return visits for a full year.  How about that for value?

83 comments

  1. So many treasures in this house, Jo. I love the stained glass windows, the cameo, and the glassware. And those skies are heavenly! Again I love your black frames. Did you try to make them wider with a bigger number? The picture titled: “I love the reflections in the water and that hint of blue sky” doesn’t show up on my screen for some reason, no matter how many times I refreshed. Is it just me? Thanks for taking us along on the £2 tour. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Cathy 🙂 I tried no. 5 on the borders and it was quite chunky. I’m happy enough with 3 but maybe 4 if you want a bit more definition.
      Sorry about the photo! Nobody else has commented but maybe they were being polite? When I loaded that photo I had a lot of problems with it too. I deleted and reloaded a couple of times before it would appear in the post properly (or not, in your case- but it looks fine on mine?) If I think on, I’ll send you it in an email or try reloading. Shame! Funny how there’s a glitch now and then 😦

      Like

      Reply

  4. Fantastic collection of photo Jo. I adore places like this. The stain glass & the fire-place are just beautiful. That’s also such an incredible price, a real incentive to encourage people to visit. Look forward to seeing your pictures of the Victorian Street. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  5. oh beautiful and what a low cost for a great day out! thank you for sharing. beautiful and skillful photos as always. i am so looking forward to the better weather so i can get out more. i want to visit abbotsford house as i haven’t been since it had an influx of lottery fund cash. http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/ and also a museum to mary queen of scots in jedburgh which has a gorgeous pear tree orchard. http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/Castles/MaryHouse.htm

    Like

    Reply

  8. Fantastic tour, Jo. I love the beautiful stained glass and the exquisite cameo. Victoriana always grabs my attention, when I visit an antique market. Thanks for taking me along with you. I guess I would be half price. 😦

    Like

    Reply

  9. It’s nice to look back on bygone a era such as this and see how people lived. The shots you took are great Jo, and have tempted me to visit when I next come to the UK. I am from that part of the world and am ashamed to say I’ve never been there.

    Like

    Reply

    1. My daughter thinks it a shame it’s been renovated because she remembers it from a long ago art school trip, but I think they’ve made a good job of it. And they have lots of events to bring people in so that it pays for itself to an extent. Thanks for reading- it was my pleasure to share. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  14. Looks wonderful, I love the intricacy of the designs from the Victorian age….if it could be embellished it was!
    Also isn’t that shower incredible, I’m guessing it would be wonderful to use as the lead would warm up with the water.
    The empty aviary is also rather poetic in its way 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. The “Winter garden” had me fooled, Seonaid! It’s what I would call a conservatory 🙂
      Not sure I could handle the floor sweeping gowns but I have to confess to a liking for the ornate.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Isn’t there a film “A grand day out”, Jill? Wallace and Gromit could have a field day! 🙂
      There were 2 planes chasing each other across the sky, but by the time I’d focussed the camera one had come to ground. They’re a lovely sight!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Oh, Jo, what it is to have too much to write about! We shall need to worry when we have no more experiences to share and the pot of photos has run dry….

        Like

  19. I love Victorian style, a few days ago I watched on BBC antique show, a wonderful plates painted all butterlies from Victorian artists… I remembered now. Dear Johanna I loved your photographs, you really got the impressive touches in all of them. Thank you, love, nia

    Like

    Reply

      1. I believe you , Jo – it looks like a wonderful place and I certainly know how hard it is to make a choice. 🙂 Thanks for taking us all along!
        Have a great day.
        Love, Dina

        Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.