HALL i' th' Wood is a family home dating back to 1483, but its particular claim to fame is that Samuel Crompton created his invention in the house.
The famous inventor lived in Hall i' th' Wood, and there is a painting in the house which depicts him at work in 1779 on his Spinning Mule. However, the last family living in the house were farmers and the building was subsequently allowed to fall into disrepair.
And it was at this point in 1899 that Lord Leverhulme decided something had to be done. He bought the house in the hope of opening up to the public as a museum -- celebrating its connection with Samuel Crompton. Lord Leverhulme employed people to go around the country gathering atrifacts to furnish the hall. The hall's latest renovation was in 1995 when a new roof was put on. Families to have owned the house are: the Brownlows 1483 to 1635; the Norris family 1635 to 1654; the Starkies from 1654 to 1899; Lord Leverhulme 1899 to 1900.
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