The first property gifted to the National Trust with its collections has changed little since its glamorous heyday, when it was frequented by actresses.
Where Treasurer’s House is a National Trust property situated within the city walls
of York next door to York Minster Cathedral. The house’s garden is used for croquet in the summer: “It’s not Sissinghurst Castle Garden, but it is a hidden gem,” says Anne Inskip, the visitor operations manager.
“It’s won gold awards in Yorkshire in Bloom two years in a row.”
What Built on the site of the former treasurer for York Minster’s house, the property was reorganised by the Edwardian industrialist, Frank Green. In 1897, he knocked five houses into one to create the Grade I-listed building that stands today, which contains his collection of furniture, antiques and paintings.
It was the first house to be gifted to the National Trust complete with its collections. “What visitors see today is very similar to how Green kept it when he lived here,” Inskip says. “We know that he was particular about furnishings and how the house was presented. He even
had studs placed on the floor to show the positions of the furniture.”
Green left the property to the trust on the condition that nothing in it was altered. “Legend has it that he threatened to haunt the house if anything displeased him,” Inskip says.
“Some people have felt a presence and smelled cigar smoke.”
Opened 1930.
Collection “Frank Green gathered a remarkable collection of antiques, furniture, ceramics, textiles and paintings,” Inskip says.
“He was an aesthete with a love of theatre and fashion, and often entertained royal and celebrity guests.” The current exhibition is Vivien Leigh: Public Faces, Private Lives (until 20 December).
This has been developed in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and emphasises the property’s glamorous past. “Although Leigh didn’t visit the house, actresses Ellen Terry and Lillie Langtry did – they both inspired Leigh,” Inskip says.
“It is the first time the V&A has shown one of its exhibitions at a National Trust property.”
Highlights In addition to Green’s 17th- and 18th-century furnishings, Inskip likes the Delft tiles in the kitchen.
She also has a soft spot for a richly decorated pier-glass mirror in the Blue Drawing Room: “It’s nice to imagine that Ellen Terry or another famous visitor used it,” Inskip says.
Help at hand There are two full-time and 13 part- time staff. About 300 volunteers take on
various duties around the house.
Budget Admission is free for National Trust members and £8 for non-members.
The house is essentially self- funding, but is helped hugely by fundraising. The house runs a small on-site shop and cafe, and a larger shop around the corner.
Sticky moment “This historic building doesn’t appear to have any right angles in it and, somehow, the doorways seem to shrink by inches overnight,” Inskip says. Making changes can present difficulties.
Survival tip “Put yourself on the map, and do new and different things,” Inskip says. The Leigh exhibition, which set out to achieve this, has been a big draw. The house also takes part in the Illuminating York Festival and organises ghost tours of its haunted cellar. Visitors The Leigh exhibition drew 4,218 visitors in its first three weeks – nearly 240 people a day. This is about 100 more than the usual daily total.
Future plans “To look at more partnerships with museums and galleries,” Inskip says.
Where Treasurer’s House is a National Trust property situated within the city walls
of York next door to York Minster Cathedral. The house’s garden is used for croquet in the summer: “It’s not Sissinghurst Castle Garden, but it is a hidden gem,” says Anne Inskip, the visitor operations manager.
“It’s won gold awards in Yorkshire in Bloom two years in a row.”
What Built on the site of the former treasurer for York Minster’s house, the property was reorganised by the Edwardian industrialist, Frank Green. In 1897, he knocked five houses into one to create the Grade I-listed building that stands today, which contains his collection of furniture, antiques and paintings.
It was the first house to be gifted to the National Trust complete with its collections. “What visitors see today is very similar to how Green kept it when he lived here,” Inskip says. “We know that he was particular about furnishings and how the house was presented. He even
had studs placed on the floor to show the positions of the furniture.”
Green left the property to the trust on the condition that nothing in it was altered. “Legend has it that he threatened to haunt the house if anything displeased him,” Inskip says.
“Some people have felt a presence and smelled cigar smoke.”
Opened 1930.
Collection “Frank Green gathered a remarkable collection of antiques, furniture, ceramics, textiles and paintings,” Inskip says.
“He was an aesthete with a love of theatre and fashion, and often entertained royal and celebrity guests.” The current exhibition is Vivien Leigh: Public Faces, Private Lives (until 20 December).
This has been developed in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and emphasises the property’s glamorous past. “Although Leigh didn’t visit the house, actresses Ellen Terry and Lillie Langtry did – they both inspired Leigh,” Inskip says.
“It is the first time the V&A has shown one of its exhibitions at a National Trust property.”
Highlights In addition to Green’s 17th- and 18th-century furnishings, Inskip likes the Delft tiles in the kitchen.
She also has a soft spot for a richly decorated pier-glass mirror in the Blue Drawing Room: “It’s nice to imagine that Ellen Terry or another famous visitor used it,” Inskip says.
Help at hand There are two full-time and 13 part- time staff. About 300 volunteers take on
various duties around the house.
Budget Admission is free for National Trust members and £8 for non-members.
The house is essentially self- funding, but is helped hugely by fundraising. The house runs a small on-site shop and cafe, and a larger shop around the corner.
Sticky moment “This historic building doesn’t appear to have any right angles in it and, somehow, the doorways seem to shrink by inches overnight,” Inskip says. Making changes can present difficulties.
Survival tip “Put yourself on the map, and do new and different things,” Inskip says. The Leigh exhibition, which set out to achieve this, has been a big draw. The house also takes part in the Illuminating York Festival and organises ghost tours of its haunted cellar. Visitors The Leigh exhibition drew 4,218 visitors in its first three weeks – nearly 240 people a day. This is about 100 more than the usual daily total.
Future plans “To look at more partnerships with museums and galleries,” Inskip says.