The History of Ford Green Hall
The timber-framed house of Ford Green Hall was built by Raphe Sutton in 1624, during the reign of James l. For nearly 200 years the Hall was the home of the Ford family, who were wealthy yeoman farmers.
The need for suitable packaging to sell butter, which came from the local ‘pot banks’, led to the development of ‘the Potteries’ as Stoke-on-Trent became known as.
By the beginning of 18th century Staffordshire cheese was being sold even in London.
Apart from producing cheese and butter, the family had business interests in the coal and iron industries.
In 1946 the Hall was purchased by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and after several years of restoration, in 1952 it was opened to the public as a museum.
The house which visitors see today is a product of several centuries of alterations and additions carried out by successive owners. By 1871 the Hall was divided into four separate dwellings and it was lived in until the end of the Second World War.
The increase in coal mining activities in the 20th century caused subsidence and major changes to the water-table in the area. In August 1987, after a period of continuous rain, the house was badly flooded. In an attempt to solve the problem of flooding, a dyke was built around the Hall and the flood pumps were installed.
Today the Hall is fully furnished to represent the interior of the time that it was built. With the decoratively carved furniture, colourful embroidery and Thomas Toft style pottery, the house yields a “lived in”, warm atmosphere whereas the picturesque, period garden and a nearby nature reserve offer a perfect location for a picnic and a family day out.
Today, Ford Green Hall is a family friendly museum, popular with school visits, coach parties and individual visitors. It offers an exciting programme of events throughout the year. It’s a unique venue for children’s birthday parties and an intimate setting for a small wedding.
