We must better articulate historic houses’ public value

Historic houses, particularly large, formerly private country residences with sprawling estates, are not an obvious symbol of civic pride. However, local authorities that now own and manage these “public houses” are increasingly anxious to better articulate their public value at a time of severe pressure on and scrutiny of council budgets. 

Temple Newsam, a historic estate three miles from Leeds city centre, was bought by Leeds Corporation in 1922 largely for its green space. It was one of a large number of houses acquired during a wave of municipal socialism between the two world wars. 

More than 100 years later, the house was the venue for a conference about civic custodianship of such places.

Organised by Leeds Museums & Galleries, the Public Houses Conference took place in October 2024, and focused on what makes civic ownership and care distinctive, as well as what the future might hold for the largest custodian of historic houses (after private ownership) – local authorities. 

Notable differences in civic custodianship of historic houses were identified. The fact that most visitors are voters, and local authority owned historic houses service a wider council agenda, was considered an important difference in terms of their accountability to the visiting public.

Local authority owned historic houses being close to centres of population is also significant. These differences represent opportunities for local authorities to use the physical closeness to communities to harness their beauty, complicated histories and, in many cases, green space to deliver public benefits at a time when social cohesion, and improvements in people’s health and wellbeing, are needed. 

Although the Public Houses Conference (PHC) was intended as a one-off, delegates formed a network of practice and expressed an interest in future events.

With this in mind, last year’s Museums Association conference in Cardiff hosted a workshop on a future event. The relationship between gardens and houses, the colonial histories of estates, and engagement with communities were discussed as possible themes. 

The aim is to hold the next Public Houses Conference at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, one of the best-known historic houses now owned by a local authority. Its purchase by Brighton Town Commissioners in 1850 followed an intense public debate, making it a fitting venue for continuing the conversation on what benefits these unique houses bring to today’s public. 

David Hopes is the head of service at Leeds Museums & Galleries. To join the mailing list for PHC, email david.hopes@leeds.gov.uk