I don't believe it!

Well, the comments have been coming thick and fast every day which we are really pleased with. Suggestions have ranged from "Frank looks a lot like Victor Meldrew" (quite a few of those) to over 40 comments to date wanting more information about the house before Frank Greens time. There have also been over 40 people offer to move in and over 25 would like an opportunity to get a cup of tea in there.

On the whole it seems people are really enjoying the opportunity to leave their ideas. The main issue now will be which one do we pick?!

The house is open for a couple more months yet so we will see what new comments come to light and keep you posted.

Week one of Blank Canvas

What an amazing start to blank canvas! The walls of the rooms have been covered in comments and suggestions from our visitors. Everything from turning the space into a holiday cottage to recreating the rooms as they were when the royals visited. It has ben really exciting for us to see people really taking their time and putting thought into their ideas of how the space is being used. We are just totting up the comments so far and next week we should be able to let you know which idea is in the lead as the favourite way to transform the space for next year.

Just one of the ideas so far

New rooms revealed - Can you help decide what we do with them?!

Six new rooms are being revealed and handed over to the public to help decide what to do with them in Treasurer’s House. Instead of answers on a postcard, we want visitors to chalk up their own ideas in each of the new rooms!

Tuesday 2^nd August sees the launch of the Blank Canvas, a suite of empty rooms. Up until recently these rooms were lived in by a tenant who sadly died in April. He had lived here for around 40 years.  This is an amazing opportunity for a house like this and we want the public to play a part in the decisions we make. Because the rooms are currently quite empty, they really are like a blank canvas so we‘re encouraging our visitors to explore and be creative!

Frank Green, the previous owner of Treasurer’s House, was renowned for his strict rules about how the house should be presented when he handed it over to the National Trust in 1930. He put studs in the floor to mark where every piece of furniture should stay, threatening to haunt the house if any of it was ever moved.

Although Frank Green was incredibly fastidious, he was also pioneering in offering access to his collection for the public and I think he would have loved to see people visiting this once hidden area.

Access to the new Blank Canvas is via the normal visitor route, normal admission prices apply. Open every day (11am - 4.30pm) except Fridays.

We will keep you posted each week to let you know what comments we have had from our visitors and eventually what ideas get used in the development to take us from a blank canvas to . . . ???!

York voted 'most beautiful city'

We were thrilled to find out that York has been voted 'the most beautiful city in the UK' in a recent survey. The city beat Bath, Oxford, London and Edinburgh to claim the title.

We love being in the very heart of the city surrounded by the old and the new - from fantastic shops and restaurants, to historic cobbled streets and amazing architecture, York has it all!

Photographer Chris Spracklen has captured some incredible shots of the city - we love this image of York Minster and the surrounding buildings (Treasurer's House is nestled in there!). You can see more of Chris's images on his website.

How to find us

Treasurer's House is located right in the city centre of York, but manages to avoid the hustle and bustle by nestling in the quiet cobbled backstreets behind York Minster.

The easiest way to find us is to walk through Dean's Park, which is to the left-hand side of the main entrance to the Minster and is in itself a tranquil haven to enjoy free of charge.

Follow the path through to the cobbled street behind and you will see Treasurer's House (if you see our sign, you're in the right place!).

Ghostly goings on in the house

York's well known for its many ghost stories, with sightings across the city. Treasurer's House is home to one of the most famous ghost stories of Roman soldiers returning from battle.

Harry Martindale, an apprentice plumber, was installing a central heating system in the cellars during the 1950s. What he wasn't expecting was the sight of marching Roman soldiers accompanied by a huge horse coming through the cellar wall right in front of him. As if that wasn't enough, the soldiers strangely appeared to be cut off at the knees.

After excavation work was carried out, a Roman road was discovered buried 15 inches below the surface, explaining the soldiers' missing limbs. Daily guided tours into the cellar will tell you more about this fascinating story, and you might even have a ghostly encounter yourself!

But the Roman soldiers aren't are only visitors. Unexplainable sounds, atmospheres and sightings have been reported throughout the house, from the barking of the Edwardian owner's dog Frisk, to Frank Green himself returning to keep an eye on us!

York's famous fab five

 

York is lucky enough to have five National Trust properties, all within an hour's drive of the city centre and offering something interesting to explore at each.


Our 'fab five', as we like to call them, are (clockwise from top left of the picture)...

- Fountains Abbey: a World Heritage site, a visit to Fountains is a must. The 12th century abbey ruins are fantastic to explore and are set it tranquil countryside.

- Beningbrough Hall: a grand Georgian mansion in lush parkland and gardens, linked with the National Portrait Gallery, which houses an impressive collection of artwork. Beningbrough is also famed for some very proud peacocks who explore the grounds!

- Nunnington Hall: this former family home by the River Rye has many marvels to enjoy, including photographic exhibitions, miniature doll rooms and a pretty walled garden.

- Treasurer's House: nestled behind York Minster, we're really easy to get to and an unexpected surprise when you do. We've had churchmen, industrialists, writers, astronomers, lawyers, royalty and even ghosts visit us - we hope you'll come along too!

- Rievaulx Terrace: this 18th century garden is the perfect place to relax. Take a book to enjoy, a picnic with the family, or your camera to capture some amazing views of the Rievaulx Abbey ruins.

A sneaky peak inside... the Blue Drawing Room

The Blue Drawing Room at Treasurer's House has undergone many changes to its size, layout and decor, particularly during the late 17th century (the ceiling has been preserved from this period).

The room was once split in two, which Frank Green furnished as a Queen Anne drawing room and a Restoration room. Around 1910, the partition was removed and the chimney was re-centred to suit the larger space.

The majestic peacock blue decoration was Frank Green's choice to match the elegant furniture and antiques he wanted to proudly display in the room.

Could you imagine yourself relaxing here as a lord or lady?

Need some inspiration? How about...

...coming along to see some original artwork for free? 

The Edwardian owner of the Treasurer's House, Frank Green, was an avid collector of antique furniture, textiles and artwork which you can see on display throughout the house. Art continues to be an important part of our visitors' experience, and we regularly hold exhibitions downstairs to showcase the talents of artists who we admire.

At the moment we're planning our next exhibition of work by Yorkshire artists Liz Clarke and Dave Marsh of The Elm Gallery. Their selection of original paintings, prints and gifts - featuring watercolours and line drawings by Dave and mixed medium artwork by Liz - will be on display and available to buy through October here at Treasurer's House.

Why not try something new?

We have a wonderful group of volunteers here at Treasurer's House who all help to contribute to making it a special place to visit.

From keeping the garden tidy and the lawn freshly mowed, to helping create our brand new website, welcoming visitors to the house, or telling stories as one of our room guides, there are all sorts of ways you can get involved.

You can have a look here at the volunteer opportunities we currently have, or send us an email at  treasurershouse@nationaltrust.org.uk to find out more.