Geograph - photograph every grid square

The current Red House was built in 1841 for Mr Robert Wellbeloved Scott, of Stourbridge on an estate totalling 27 acres. He was at that time the Liberal member of parliament for Walsall, and retained his seat until 1847.
The earliest references found indicate the current Red House was pre-dated by a 'gothic' country house. Some of the outbuildings of the current house date back to the 16th century.
Between 1902 and 1921 the house was used by Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund as a convalescent home for children, accommodating 51 patients.
In 1921 the West Bromwich Corporation bought the house and grounds for use as a sanatorium, but the local Medical Officer at that time deemed the house unsuitable for the purpose. The house stood empty until 1929 when the WBC opened the 27 acres as a public park and the house was turned into refreshment rooms.
Between 1940 and the late 1950s the house was used by the army but park staff still had use of the outbuildings.
In 1966 when the house was returned totally to the West Bromwich Corporation, a meeting of the council suggested the house was unsuitable for community use because of the room sizes. It is currently leased to the BTCV conservation group who took on the renovation of this fine old building.

For many more details on the history of the building see Link
and for information on the families associated with the house and some earlier photos see Landed Families blog Link

Created: Sun, 4 Nov 2012, Updated: Wed, 12 Nov 2014