Elland New Hall
This is one of the most interesting relics of mediaeval Elland. The house is a timber framed structure which was erected during the latter part of the 15th century. It was later encased in stone probably sometime during the 17th century. The bulding itself consists of a large central hall with wings to the east and west.
Access to the hall and east wing is by way of the porch at the front from which there is a passage leading to the back of the house. Above the porch there is a small room which is lighted ba a small circular window which is filled with leaded glass. The hall itself is lighted by a large mullioned and transomed window. Around the sides of the hall runs an oak gallery which is known to be a later addition to the original structure.
The floor of the hall is paved with lozenge shaped stones which are laid daigonally. Over the fireplace in the hall is the Royal Coat of Arms in plaster which carries the date 1670. This is probably the date when the extension of the building was encased in stone.
During its history the house has known many owners. It was originally built for Nicholas Savile. It was owned by the Savile family for a number of generations until it was sold to the Foxgrove family. Perhaps one of its most important inhabitants was the great Doctor Power who lived in the house from 1654 until 1664 when he moved to Wakefield.
Little is known of the house from the seventeenth century until the present century. It was visited by members of the Halifax Antiquarians in 1902 when they wrote a paper on historic building in Elland. The house around the turn of the century was in a good state of repair but by the 1930's it was in quite a state of disrepair. In 1935 members of Halifax Aquitarians visited the house and commented that the house would become a delapidated ruin within the next few years if action was not taken to restore the structure. They also suggested that the Royal Coat of Arms dated 1670 should be removed and placed in a museum.
In 1943 the house was tenented by a Mr. Grotte who was the factory engineer at Nu-Swifts. Mr. Grotte, who was of Czechoslovakian nationality came to this country in 1939 after spending some time in a German concentration camp. The house was in a bad state of repair when he moved into the west wing. In 1949 he bought the house and began renovation plans. He started with the west wing, first removing a pear tree which had undermined the walls. He then repaired the roof and replaced the windows. In 1950 parts of the east wing were restored, first removing a dividing wall which had made the wing into two separate homes along with a staircase and a number of doors. Elaborately carved Elizabethan oak panelling in the west wing had broken away from the walls. The white paint was stripped from the oak carvings which were restored to their natural state. The panelling was then placed around the walls of the longe. The next part of the house to be repaired was the small room above the porch which is lighted by the well known rose window.
While repairing this room an 1805 George III penny was found. Another discovery was made on 13th January 1950 when a small note was found which read as follows:
"This note was placed here September 26 - 1878 by Sam Crossland son of Joseph Crossland the present occupier of this house, the owner being Mr. Waddington of Whitewell Place, Elland."
When Mr. Grotte built the modern bathroom in the house he kept with the architectural design of the period by installing a mullion window which he purchesed from Elland Urban District Council. This window was taken from old property at the top of Gog Hill. The house is of the same design as the rest of the windows in the house and is thought to have been built by the same mason.
Perhaps one of the greatest discoveries during the renovation of the hall was the finding of the original timbers and in one corner of the north bedroom a door which led to the minstrel gallery.
Even today renovations are still taking place. The house on the death of Mr. Grotte was bought by Mr. Con Clusky the lead singer of 'The Batchelors' who promised to continue with the work started by Mr. Grotte.