Hoole Memories: Monkey business!
STAFF at the Doubletree by Hilton Chester decided to delve into the property's past and discovered the hotel once catered for a very different clientele.
According to documentation, the hotel, an 18th century manor house formerly known as Hoole Hall, has been the residence of several reverends, a pioneer balloonist and, in the 19th century, the conservatory was home to a family of monkeys.
The conservatory is now a stunning Grade II listed building and a popular wedding venue. It has recently undergone a superb transformation as part of the hotel's massive redevelopment project.
Tony Wright, general manager at the former Hoole Hall Hotel, said: "We knew the property had a very colourful history but we weren't expecting all this monkey business.
"You certainly won't find any unexpected guests swinging from the chandeliers these days, unless some escape from Chester Zoo and pay us a visit!"
Research has uncovered the building has a wonderful history. It dates back to the 14th century and was first occupied by John de Hoole, the Lord of Hoole.
The second occupier was Reverend Sir William of Bunbury and the hall remained in his family for the next 400 years.
During the English Civil War (1642-1647) the hall was burnt to the ground by parliamentarian troops as they advanced upon Chester. It remained derelict until Reverend John Baldwin purchased the property and rebuilt the house more than 100 years later, in 1757.
In 1793, the property was passed on to distinguished pioneer balloonist, Thomas Baldwin. Following this, the 19th century saw many residents come and go and it was during this time that the manor had a monkey house.
The research was carried out for Local and Community History Month in May, which is organised by the Historical Association, and has been running for more than 10 years.
Simon Brown, website and events officer for the association, said: "The aim of the month is to increase awareness of local history and promote history in general to the local community.
"It's great that Doubletree by Hilton Chester has delved into its past and just proves that, with a little research, you never know what you might find."
To provide more photographs and information about the history of Doubletree by Hilton Chester, the team has launched a Facebook fan page, which is free for anyone to join.
The hotel is also appealing for anyone with any further information about its past to get in touch.
For further information, telephone Doubletree by Hilton Chester, on 01244 408 800 or visit www.hilton.co.uk/chester.
For further information about Local and Community History Month visit www.history.org.uk.
The above picture shows Hoole Hall - residence of John Lister - in 1846.
Older/Newer
« Blacon Memories: A tragic ending for Shep the pupils' pal | Cheshire Memories: Sir Urian Legh of Adlington Hall »
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Hoole Memories: Monkey business!.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://blogs.chesterchronicle.co.uk/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/121764
My feed
My Grandfather, Percy Raymond St. Clair lived at Hoole Hall with his parents; Thomas Sidney St.Clair(Smith) and Constance Ann Bateson. I would have to do some research to name the exact dates. I was given this information by my father and Aunt( both now deceased) and I confirmed it by looking up some census facts.