The History of Coopers Mansion

Transcription

1 The History of Coopers Mansion Grade II Listed (1954) The earliest portion, dating from the late 18thC, is the South East front facing the garden and is of red brick. The North West front facing the road is early 19thC and of yellow brick.

2 What s behind the wall?

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5 Francis Cooper Esq, London Solicitor Roques Map 1744

6 1765 New Occupants Coopers was purchased by Sir Richard Adams, Baron of the Exchequer A Judge his monument in St Nicholas Church states that he died of gaol fever caught in the Old Bayly in 1774 Leased to Baron William Hotham, a British Admiral who had seen action in North American waters. In 1782 he saw the relief of Gibraltar. He served alongside Nelson in the Mediterranean

7 The Estate of Richard Stone 1784

8 The Stone Family Bankers of Lombard Street, London associated with silver hallmarking Richard Stone (d.1802, aged 48) is buried in St Nicholas churchyard along with his wife Mary (d.1796) and daughters Amelia (d.1852) and Mary (d.1867) and other generations Head gardener and bailiff, James Goodhew also buried in the churchyard Zealous and faithful servant

9 Coopers Mansion inherited by son, George Stone, who died 1844

10 Captain Henry Bowden

11 Capt.Henry Bowden Captain of Scots Fusilier Guards, he took part in the Battle of Waterloo and fought in the Crimea A Catholic convert, who endowed the building of St Mary s RC Church consecrated in 1854 Married first to Emma, the daughter of George Norman of Bromley Common Second wife, Marianne, daughter of Major Sir Montague Burgoyne, a direct descendant of Edward III

12 Change of Ownership To prevent the estate from being broken up for building Capt Bowden sold it to neighbours, Francis Edlmann of Hawkwood and Mr J Martin, of Martin s Bank, the predecessor of Barclays They became the freeholders and leased the mansion house

13 A significant Visitor Tenants from 1864 Lord Richard Cavendish Mr Charles Morley (who built Morley Cottages opposite) A certain Prime Minister was a frequent visitor a WC on the first floor was known as Gladstone

14 Sir Thomas Firbank Sir Thomas Firbank MP and his wife, Harriette, made The Coopers Our dear home, looking like paradise. They added a billiard room and kept a pair of Chestnut horses The house was filled with antique furniture, Objects D Art and Worcester tea sets

15 Ronald Firbank, Author inspired by his childhood at The Coopers Firbank s works are full of references to tulips, roses and violets from the gardens at The Coopers He wrote Odette D Antrevernes, Vainglory and Valmouth amongst others He died of pneumonia in Rome

16 Heather Firbank Heather was born at The Coopers Her exquisite clothes from leading couturiers were donated to the V & A in 1921 and exhibited in 1960 These have recently been the inspiration behind the costumes of Downton Abbey on ITV

17 Tudor Hall School Founded by Rev T.W. Todd in 1850 in Forest Hill, the school came to Chislehurst in 1908 Moved in 1935 to Chipping Camden by former pupil, turned Head, the doughty Nesta Inglis This independent girls boarding school continues to this day at Wykham Park, Banbury

18 Tennis at Tudor Hall School

19 Exact replica Adam Style ceiling replaced following water damage

20 The Technical School 1948 Kent County Council bought the mansion from Col Edlmann and amalgamated girls technical education provision from Bromley and Sidcup onto this one site. There were four laboratories, a commerce block with a model office and a domestic block with a small flat to teach housecraft! Col. Francis Edlmann, Chair of Governors

21 Miss Mary Reed Anderson Headteacher Standards have risen so high that the girls now sit for University entry or for Teacher Training, Art and Technical Colleges.

22 Ernest Greenwood Murals 1946 Welling Artist appointed art master to the Technical High School Painted 15 murals on the theme of Christmas and Easter Hung upstairs Removed when the school was modified Discovered in a coal shed Now at Bromley Museum