Beech Grove House, 1799: a look inside the University of Leeds’ oldest building

*New to Leeds Heritage Open Days!* – the first time this Grade II listed building has been opened to the public by the University of Leeds: sharing stories of the March family who made this house their Georgian home.

Abram Rhodes, Woodhouse cloth mill owner, had Beech Grove House built for him in 1799. A new home in the green suburbs.

Joseph Ogdin March and his family bought the house in 1840. Joseph Ogdin March, a Holbeck man, was apprentice and partner to engineer Matthew Murray. He married Matthew Murray’s youngest daughter, Mary. Their family continued to live in Beech Grove House until 1925, when it was then bought by the University of Leeds.

Mayor of Leeds; successful industry man supplying the need for iron and factory machinery; March’s South Leeds iron foundry is a resounding success. Two of Mary and Joseph’s daughters – Rosa and Caroline – come to be known in Leeds society as the ‘Misses March’ – a pair of beneficent, educated women living together in Beech Grove House. As parishioners of St. Mark’s Church in Woodhouse they create opportunities and support for workers and the poor people of Leeds.

Join us to look inside the oldest building at the University of Leeds and find out more about the March family who lived there.

EXTRA EVENT: AUTHOR TALK at 12pm ‘The Bilbroughs of Beech Grove Terrace – Reimagine the everyday lives of a middle class Victorian family in the house where they lived.’ with Catherine Wright. Pre-book seats below.

Beech Grove House, The University of Leeds, in the University Precinct, opposite the LUU Student Union Building & the Refectory, Beech Grove Terrace, Leeds

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