Come and enjoy the rich history of Reed Hall 10.30 am 9th September - Heritage Open Days 2010
Event Exeter, part of the University of Exeter, is taking part in the Heritage Open Days 2010, a celebration of England’s architecture and culture, with access to one of its most fascinating historic venues on the Streatham Campus.
The public are invited to discover the hidden treasures of Reed Hall with a free Guided Tour at 10.30 am on Thursday 9th September of the elegant Italianate mansion and its stunning landscaped gardens of rare trees and shrubs, planted by the celebrated Exeter horticulturist James Veitch. Afterwards visitors can enjoy a locally produced lunch or Devon cream tea in the Reed Hall restaurant and cafe (not included in the free tour).
This is a chance to explore the rich heritage of Reed Hall, built in 1867 by the Thornton West family, wealthy Exeter merchants trading in South East Asia during the 19th Century, before becoming a military hospital in the First World War and then part of the University College of the South West in 1925 as a hall of residence for men. The University of Exeter took over the management of Reed Hall following its foundation in 1955.
Sarah Snow Head of Event Exeter said, ‘Heritage Open Days are all about people and places, celebrating the importance of the built environment and the community. Reed Hall and its wonderful gardens landscaped by James Veitch, have a captivating past. This is an opportunity to see how the heritage of this fine Victorian mansion sits easily with its modern day role as a meeting and events venue. The gardens are particularly stunning in September with the gold and red of autumn colours beginning to show.’
Today Reed Hall is a versatile year round venue for meetings, conferences, weddings and events with its own restaurant, cafe and dedicated car park at the University of Exeter, where a £275m investment is taking place to create The Forum Project and other new facilities on the Streatham Campus.
Reed Hall has enjoyed over 140 years of occupation, first as family home, then as a military hospital during the Great War, before former Mayor Exeter Alderman WH Reed bought the mansion and 11 acres, gifting the property to the University College of the South West in 1922 to form the heart of the Streatham Campus and renamed in his honour. In 1925 Reed Hall opened as a hall of residence for men. During World War II evacuees took the places of students recruited for war service as well as 70 students from the Central School of Speech and Drama.
The College also became custodian of the formal gardens, lake and valuable arboretum at Reed Hall, landscaped by James Veitch, who planted rare specimen trees and shrubs collected by the Veitch family from around the world including Palm and Wingnut trees dating from the 1860’s.
For more information on Event Exeter and Reed Hall visit http://www.eventexeter.com/ or telephone 01392 215566. Open Heritage Days 2010 http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
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