Kendal’s Stricklandgate House can progress plans to improve accessibility and its environmental sustainability thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The trust which runs the house has been awarded a £267,462 grant so it can develop plans to conserve and celebrate the heritage of Stricklandgate House, secure its future and enhance its value to the wider community.
Stricklandgate House is a Grade II-listed building and an outstanding example of Georgian architecture with many of its original features remaining intact.
But, beyond its architectural value, through the ages Stricklandgate House has had a rich and varied history and a significant impact on the town, the trust said.
In 1993 it was given new life as a centre for the charitable sector under the ownership of Stricklandgate House Trust. It is now home to 18 charitable organisations who support local culture, heritage and the welfare and care needs of local people. It is also home to the Kendal Civic Society’s exhibition.
The building has experienced many, often unsympathetic alterations and extensions over time, testament to its changing use and fortunes. Now, however, it is in need of repair in order to preserve it for future generations.
The trust’s aim is to improve accessibility and the environmental sustainability of Stricklandgate House, create a Community Hub, exhibition space, and enhance the current office and conference facilities.
John Leigh and Margaret Belk, joint chairs of the board of trustees, said: “We are beyond thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players we can now develop much needed plans for essential conservation work on our wonderful Georgian building and share it’s fascinating history and heritage with all our communities. We can’t wait to make Stricklandgate House a really important heritage and community asset. To say that we were bowled over by the news is an understatement!”
During the development phase, the trust will need to raise significant match funding to unlock future investment. Future success would bring an estimated investment of around £4.5 million to Kendal and the wider Westmorland and Furness area.
Stricklandgate House’s history
The house was built in 1776 for Jospeh Maude, a successful merchant and co-founder of what became Kendal Savings Bank. When first built Stricklandgate House was a grand family home, one of the best in the town. It was home to the first Kendal Savings, an important bank for the region.
In 1854 the building was leased to the Kendal Literary and Scientific Society who used it as the town’s library and museum. The geologist Adam Sedgwick, poets William Wordsworth and Robert Southey were all founder members.
Early in the 20th century, the society closed and for a while, Stricklandgate House’s coach house was home to the town’s fire brigade, while the main house became a private residence once again, home to Dr Samuel C Noble.
He and his wife left a legacy to Kendal, which included Maudes Meadow (playing field and parkland) and Noble’s Rest (alms houses), both of which still provide Kendal residents with green space and homes.
The house has been the headquarters of the then South Westmorland Rural District Council and with local government reorganisation in 1974, it became the offices and chambers of South Lakeland District Council.
