The York Conservation Trust is a trust that buys and restores significant historical buildings in
York
York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...
, England, and then makes them available to rent.
It was originally an initiative of former Lord Mayor
John Bowes Morrell
John Bowes Morrell (1873–1963) was an England, English historian and writer. He was twice Lord Mayor of York, a leading figure in the local movement to establish a university in York, and founder of the York Conservation Trust. The University ...
, who started acquiring old buildings when he bought
Sir Thomas Herbert's House on
Pavement in 1943. Together with his brother, Cuthbert, Morrell set up the Ings Property Company, a not-for-profit exercise in practical conservation. In 1976 this company was given charitable status and evolved into York Conservation Trust.
The Trust owns properties throughout York in streets such as
Walmgate,
Micklegate
Micklegate is a street in the City of York, England. The name means "Great Street", "gate" coming from the Old Norse ''gata'', or street.
Micklegate is described by York City Council as "one of the most handsome streets in Yorkshire", and was d ...
,
Low Ousegate,
Goodramgate
Goodramgate is a street in the city centre of York, in England.
History
The area now covered by Goodramgate lay within the walls of Roman Eboracum. The street runs diagonally across the line of former Roman buildings, from the Porta Decumana ...
,
Gillygate and
Stonegate. Among its portfolio are
The Red House in
Duncombe Place, the
York Assembly Rooms
The York Assembly Rooms is an 18th-century assembly rooms building in York, England, originally used as a place for high class social gatherings in the city. The building is situated on Blake Street and is a Grade I listed building.
Designed ...
in
Blake Street and the
De Grey Rooms next to
York Theatre Royal
York Theatre Royal is a theatre in St Leonard's Place, in York, England, which dates back to 1744. The theatre currently seats 750 people. Whilst the theatre is traditionally a proscenium theatre, it was reconfigured for a season in 2011 to off ...
and leased to them. The Trust also bought
Fairfax House
Fairfax House is a Georgian townhouse located at No. 27, Castlegate, York, England, near Clifford's Tower and York Castle Museum. It was probably built in the early 1740s for a local merchant and in 1759 it was purchased by Charles Gregory F ...
from
York Civic Trust
York Civic Trust is a membership organisation and a registered charity based in York, England. Its primary function is to "preserve, protect and advise on the historic fabric of York". It is based in Fairfax House.
Foundation
York Civic Trust ...
and rents it back to them. Recent acquisitions include
Bowes Morrell House, Walmgate, and 56
Bootham
Bootham is a street in the city of York, England, leading north out of the city centre. It is also the name of the small district surrounding the street.
History
The street runs along a ridge of slightly higher ground east of the River Ouse, Yo ...
, better known as York Register Office. The Trust was unable to acquire Morrell's Victorian mansion, Burton Croft, before its demolition by developers.
Illustrated article on Burton Croft and its demise
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York Conservation Trust has published for sale a book ''York Conservation Trust – Historical Properties Walking Guide''. This lists the properties it owns, gives historical and descriptive information and encourages walking around York to view them.
All of the trustees are related to John Bowes Morrell; three of them are his grandsons, and six his great-grandchildren.
References
External links
York Conservation Trust website
Organisations based in York
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