The Jacobean manor house Washington Old Hall is
medieval in origin, it was built in 1613 by Bishop James of Durham for
his son. The old hall proclaims a link between Britain and America, as
the hall was once owned by the Washington family until the13th
century, which makes it a favourite calling point for American
visitors.
Although Washington Old Hall was the ancestral home there is no proof
that George Washington ever visited the town. It was from Sulgrave in
Northamptonshire that George Washington's great-grandfather, John
Washington emigrated to North America. It is interesting to note that
the Washington seal bears three stars and two stripes.
William de Hertburne, an ancestor of George Washington, assumed
tenancy of the Wessyngtonlands from the Bishop of Durham for an annual
charge of £4. Soon after, he changed his name to William de Wessyngton
(later Washington). In 1613 the Washington family moved south to
Sulgrave Manor, and the Manor was sold to the Bishop of Durham.
The Hall continued to be used as a residence until the 19th century
when it became tenement flats and gradually fell into disrepair. In
1936 the building was declared unfit for human habitation, and was
rescued from demolition by Fred Hill, a local teacher, who created
what is now the "Friends of the Old Hall" to press for
restoration of the building. Preservation work stopped during the war,
but was completed in 1955.
In 1957 the National Trust assumed responsibility for the building. A
Grade 1 listed building preserved by the National Trust, Washington
Old Hall is worth visiting in it's own right, with or without its
historical links to America.
Extensively rebuilt in the 17th century the hall retained some
original details, like the twin arches in the wall between the hall
and the kitchen dating from the medieval period. It has some excellent
oil paintings, richly carved oak furniture and an oak staircase.
Souvenirs of George Washington are on display in rooms set aside for
the purpose.
The Mead is an area of wilderness to the side of the old hall which
has been re-created to form a Mead. In the 17th Century the romance of
the era of medieval knights and damsels became fashionable. Wealthy
landowners would create a seemingly wild area of garden where they
could imagine medieval lords and ladies relaxing in true Arthurian
style! This is also an area for quiet contemplation, with the 'prunus
avium' plena tree planted in remembrance of the tragedy of 11th
September 2001.
President Carter visited the Hall when he came to the North East on
6th May 1977
