LIVING IN THE OLDEST HOUSE
From 1983 to 1987 Pam and Terry lived at the Ford Green Hall in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent. They were its last ever residents.
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| Ford Green Hall museum Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: 2024 |
The hall was built in 1624 and had been occupied continuously for 363 years. Pam was the 'live-in curator' of the museum but her residency was prematurely cut short when, on 23rd August 1987, ten hours of non-stop torrential rain caused a disastrous flood which swamped the Hall. Mother Nature forced them to leave.
We were privileged to work and live at Ford Green Hall in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, from November 1983 to August 1987. Pam was employed by the city council as its resident curator.
The Flood
We lived at the Hall for almost 4 years until we had to leave following the flood of 23rd August 1987.
The flood water rose to the top of what is now the museum's entrance door (not the 'one foot' of water reported in the local press!) Much of the ground floor and many of our possessions, and those of the museum, were ruined. Even our pianola floated in the murky water! Many of our photographs taken during our time at the Hall were destroyed. But Toots, our pet cat, clung on and survived.
We are proud to have been the last people, in all of its 363 years, to live in the Hall. The oldest house in Stoke-on-Trent.
More on our Ford Green Hall site > https://fordgreenhall.blogspot.com/
Link to the official Ford Green Hall Museum > https://fordgreenhall.org.uk/
