66 Queen Street, Hitchin
66 Queen Street, Hitchin is the latest property to be restored by
the Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust. A Grade II listed building, the
late 19th century terrace house was generously bequeathed to the Trust by the
late Miss Mary Aughton in 2003, a Trust Director in the 1960’s.
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2003 before restoration |
Today |
Although the property required full modernisation, its character and
the survival of its features were of key importance. Restoration work was
conducted during 2004 under the management of the Chairman of the Trust, Miss
Dorothy Abel Smith.
The Trust has retained the property to lease so that the rent
paid can be used for the upkeep of the building and to fund
further restoration projects.
Trust Directors Robert Dimsdale, John Martin and
Miss Dorothy Abel Smith (Chairman) visit the property at the end of its
restoration No. 66 is the end house of
a row of three similarly built properties which stand opposite the British
Schools Museum. George Jeeves, a builder and merchant, constructed these houses
along with many other properties in Hitchin. George had his premises, Jeeves
Yard, next to the school in Queen Street – part of which he also built. His
daughter, Constance Jeeves, lived at no. 66 until her death in 1939.
(Taken from a 2003 publication, Jeeves Yard. A dynasty of Hitchin builders
and brickmakers, by Hitchin Historical Society).
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