Advertisement from the Northampton Mercury
Rushden Hall
to be Sold
Second Sale April 1838
To be sold by Private Contract
The Fine Old Gothic Mansion "Rushden Hall"
with gardens and appurtenances.
Several Closes of excellent pasture and Arable Land, adjoining together 157 acres.
Farm-House and Buildings, The "Swan" Public House, several other cottages,
greater part freehold, copyhold fine certain.
An allotment of land, 58 acres, adjoining road from Rushden to Newton.
“Mansion House” Estate may be purchased with or without, the residue of the property.
Rushden is a good sporting part of the county.
Immediate possession may be had of Mansion House.
To view Estate apply to Daniel Dickens at Rushden.
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| From the parish register we see the baptisms of four children recorded; Herbert in 1846, Madeleine Caroline in 1848, Algernon Charles Frederick in 1851, and Evelyn Mary in 1856.
As a youth Herbert is known to have had a camera, and perhaps took this picture c1880 of the Hall and his family in the garden. Herbert married Caroline Thornton, of Kempston, at Christmas 1874. He is known to have taken photographs from the spire at St Mary's Church, and also of Rushden Cottage.
Herbert later lived at Weekley, and his son Hugh stayed at the Hall until it was sold in 1929.
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Hall and family c1880
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In 1930 the Hall and grounds were bought by the town council, and after a short time as a museum, the Hall fell into dereliction by the 1950s. The Park had been much used for meeting friends, or family walks to admire the gardens, and by the the various bands for concerts. The town Carnival moved here from Spencer Park, and now hosts various town events.
After a campaign led by the Amenities Society, specially formed the task, the Hall was eventually saved. After much restoration, it is now a wedding venue, and partly used as the Town Council's offices. Some rooms are used by local groups, or for private parties.
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