Photo credit: Just Jon Simpson
A company from Hay-on-Wye has been chosen to carry out repair works costing 135,000 at the Black and White House Museum in Hereford.
Splitlath Ltd were awarded the contract by Herefordshire Council in a recent decision.
“Splitlath BC, has been in existence in one form or another since 1867, making it probably the oldest builders in Great Britain starting life in Stourbridge, in the heart of the Black Country as Barge Builders, the same family has owned the business up to the present day.”
https://www.splitlath.com/about/
Herefordshire Council Decision:
“To award a contract to Splitlath Ltd to carry out repair works to The Old
Museum (Black and White House), Hereford, following a successful tender.
“Works to include repairs to defective infill panels on external elevations together with associated repairs to timber including frame, windows, bargeboards and finials.”
The Black and White House is a remarkably well preserved example of a 17th Century timber-framed building and is situated in the heart of Hereford, surrounded by the commercial centre of the city.
It is a startling sight, standing as the sole reminder of times-gone-by in the middle of a modern shopping precinct.
Built in 1621, the house has been used for many purposes over the years, starting life as a butcher’s home and shop and finishing its commercial life in the hands of Lloyds Bank in the late 1920s. Since 1929 it has been a fascinating museum giving an insight into daily life in Jacobean times.
It is furnished in period style with an internationally important collection of English oak furniture and there are interesting pieces in every room. Of particular interest to many visitors are the rare wall-paintings, the four-poster bed and the baby-walkers.
There are hands-on activities for children including replica clothing and puzzles.
For those unable to climb the stairs, a virtual tour is situated on the fully-accessible ground floor.
There are also Braille and tactile images for the blind and visually impaired.
