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Oak Hill Mansion house history and few uptodate autumn piccys.
Historical background
The Oak Hill estate dates back to the middle of the 18th century, and for two generations or more belonged to the Woodward family. In 1801 the owner was Daniel Henry Woodward, who later changed his name to Daniel Lee WARNER (so history books tell us). He was the father of the Rev. Henry Lee-Warner, whose descendants owned considerable landed property in Accrington at the end of the 19th century. (Warner Street named after this family). In 1815 the land was leased to THOMAS HARGREAVES, head of the small Broad Oak Printworks, and subsequently bought by him. His works being just to the right of his mansion, down Shop Lane (which is directly opposite our todays Park Inn on Manchester Road). Under his direction, the works were enlarged over and over again and the Hargreaves family became the largest employer of labour in Accrington. Thomas died in 1822 aged 50 and the house, having been occupied by his widow for a while, eventually passed to his youngest son Jonathan, who enlarged it by the addition of a wing. Jonathan and his family occupied the house until c1856 - afterwards it was occupied by various notable Accrington families.
It originally contained - Ground Floor - a Hall, Drawing Room, Breakfast Room, Dining/Billiard Room and Kitchen. The Dining/Billiard room was 19'5" x 53'4"! Wow! Rather a LARGE room!!! The extension contained a library, pantry, butler's room, store and side hall. On the First floor was the landing, 5 bedrooms, dressing room, bathroom and 2 other "smaller rooms". The extension also had 2 bedrooms (one which as 33'3" x 21'2"), bathroom and another room. There was also a cellar which contained several rooms, under part only.
In 1852 the two storey extension was added to the left side of the mansion. It was probably about the same time that the wrought iron decorative Victorian verandah was added to the north side.
A Grade II medium sized Georgian stonebuilt house with early Victorian extension, of architectural and historical significance, so stated the "sale details" for Oak Hill Mansion, way back in c1990. It was eventually completely pulled down, stone by stone, had each stone numbered, and "re-built" around 1994. Does this mean is it still classed as a Grade II. Surely not?
Few piccys herewith
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