Building record 1160/441/14 - Nurse's Home

{1} This building was constructed on the north boundary of the site in 1897. As built, it comprised a two-storey structure with a central south-facing entrance under a plain brick pediment, and two flanking square bays. From extant architects' plans, the frontage was evidently ornate. The structure comprises red bricks laid in English Bond, with a projecting moulded eaves band and projecting bands at first floor level, and at lintel levelon both floors. Windows are 4-4 sashes, beneath brick lintels comprised of headers. A covered passageway ran eastwards along the boundary wall, this building to the infirmary.
Internally, the ground floor comprises a central hall and stairwell, with kitchen and scullery to the east, and dining room to the west. A tiled passage leading to the covered passageway to the infirmary runs along the north side of the kitchen. Upstairs was sleeping accomodation: it is uncertain whether this comprised dormitories or separate rooms. It is interesting to note that apart from three small windows in the stairwell, there were no windows in the north side of the Nurses Home. Whether this was for security, or to preserve the nurses from prying eyes in adjoining houses to the north, is uncertain.
From the survey, it was evident that the function of this building had changed in recent years. The kitchen housed four large mechanical filing machines, and the dining room was part of the paediatric department.

<1> Zeepvat B., 2004, Historic Building Survey: St Edmund's Hospital, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, P. 30 (checked) (Report). SNN104796.

Record last edited

May 19 2020 12:12PM