| Soho House | |
|---|---|
 Soho House from the front | |
| Location | Handsworth |
| Coordinates | 52°29′59″N1°55′22″W / 52.4996°N 1.9229°W /52.4996; -1.9229 |
| OS grid reference | SP 05332 89078 |
| Area | Birmingham |
| Built | c. 1756 |
| Governing body | Birmingham Museums Trust |
| Owner | Birmingham City Council |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 25 April 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1076151 |
  Location in West Midlands | |
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Soho House is a museum run byBirmingham Museums Trust, celebratingMatthew Boulton's life, his partnership withJames Watt, his membership of theLunar Society of Birmingham and his contribution to theMidlands Enlightenment and theIndustrial Revolution. It is aGrade II* listed 18th-century house inHandsworth, part ofBirmingham since 1911, but historically in the county ofStaffordshire.[1] It was the home of entrepreneurMatthew Boulton from 1766 until his death in 1809, and a regular meeting-place of the Lunar Society.
Matthew Boulton, one of the 18th century's most significant entrepreneurs,[2] acquired the lease of the five-year-old Soho Mill in 1761 and developed it intoSoho Manufactory.[3] He expanded the cottage next to it into Soho House, changing it several times. It is faced with sheets of painted slate to give the appearance of large stone blocks. Boulton moved into Soho House when the Manufactory was completed. The Soho Manufactory was demolished in 1863.[4]
In 1766, Boulton became one of the founders of theLunar Society.[5] In 1789, Boulton commissionedSamuel Wyatt to extend the buildings and fully revamp it and the gardens.[6] Work on extending the building was completed in 1796 following the submission of designs byJames Wyatt, Samuel's brother, for the additions of a main entrance front.[4] Wyatt was also responsible for the large dining room, the regular venue for meetings of the Lunar Society.[2] It is aGrade II* listed building.
After Boulton's death, in the house, it passed to his sonMatthew Robinson Boulton and later his grandson,Matthew Piers Watt Boulton, who eventually sold it in 1850.[7] It then had a number of owners, and was at one time used as a residential hostel forpolice officers, before being acquired byBirmingham City Council in 1990[8] and being opened by them as a museum in 1995.[9]
Soho House has been restored, retaining its 18th-century appearance,[10] with "fine collections oformolu, silver, furniture and paintings".[11] Of particular note are the displays of silver and ormolu which were made in the manufactory, and the ormolu Sidereal clock made by Boulton and Fothergill, in 1771–72.[11] There is aBlue Plaque commemorating Matthew Boulton on the house.[12] The garden, once over 100 acres in size but now less than half an acre, contains a walk withsphinxes, dated to around 1795.[13] Part of the garden has been recreated using Boulton's original planting notes.[11]
Soho House is aHeritage Site and branch museum of theBirmingham Museums & Art Gallery, owned by Birmingham City Council. Since April 2012 the Heritage Sites and all other museums formerly run by the council have been run byBirmingham Museums Trust. It hosts exhibitions of local and community interest. Previously free, since April 2011 admission charges apply for entry to the house. It remains free to under 16s. Gardens, grounds and visitor facilities are free to all visitors. Artists-in-residence at the house have includedVanley Burke and Pauline Bailey.
