Community heritage group makes history with move into landmark Lichfield building
A community heritage group is setting up an exciting hub to celebrate Lichfield’s history in one of the city’s most remarkable buildings, which has never been open to the public.
Lichfield Discovered will hold workshops, tours, events, talks and displays in the characterful, historic rooms of The Schoolmaster’s House on St John Street for an initial five-year period, through an agreement with Lichfield District Council.
The Schoolmaster’s House, which dates back to 1682, was for more than two centuries part of Lichfield Grammar School and educated such luminaries as Samuel Johnson and David Garrick. It later became a doctor’s surgery and army pay office during the First World War, before becoming council offices.
Many historic features remain, including wood panelling, fireplaces and a wooden spiral staircase to the attic which was used as a dormitory by boarders and still bears some of their names carved into the doors.
The use of The Schoolmaster’s House by Lichfield Discovered is part of the repurposing of the wider Lichfield District Council House. Over the past two years, much of the rest of the building has become a thriving business centre with tenants including Barclays Bank and the National Health Service.
The creation of the commercial office space means that the building now pays for itself and with the Lichfield Discovered heritage group moving in the historic former grammar school section is being put to good use.
Councillor Doug Pullen, the Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “We are very excited to give Lichfield Discovered the opportunity to use The Schoolmaster’s House. It is a very special building with a rich history of its own and I can’t wait to see what local people create inside.”
The Lichfield Discovered group includes local historians, teachers, community workers and museum curators who all work voluntarily in their own time and are passionate about sharing stories about the city and district. The group has more than 10,000 followers online and reached more than 1.6million people last year.
They have exciting plans for the future:
- Beginning on Bower Weekend at the end of May the group will hold monthly open days at The Schoolmaster’s House featuring tours of the building including the characterful attic dormitories and spectacular former classroom, which was rebuilt in 1849 and is now used as the Council Chamber.
- There will be evening events in partnership with community groups and museums from across the region, exploring Lichfield's history over thousands of years and giving attendees access to amazing archaeology and historical objects.
- Local people will be invited to come and share their own history at special activity days, including memories and family stories and share any research they've done into Lichfield's history.
- Summer activities are also planned for this summer in the Old School Yard, now a garden facing St John Street including family fun in the school holidays.
- Each month, a special explore of the city or an historic site elsewhere in the district will start from The Schoolmaster’s House. Local historians and specialist guides will shine a spotlight on a fascinating topic or particular time period.
The group plans to help other community groups and organisations from across the district create changing displays at The Schoolmaster’s House too. Into the future visitors will be able to discover and explore a variety of inspiring aspects of the city and district’s history, through the memories and treasures shared by local people themselves.
The Chair of Lichfield Discovered, Katie Gomez, said: “The building really is stunning and is packed with history. We’re passionate about using it as a place to share Lichfield’s wider history too and look forward to talking to local people about how we might do that.”
For more information about Lichfield Discovered visit lichfielddiscovered.org or follow the group on Facebook.
