The Assembly House

When

Key dates in the history of The Assembly House:

• 1248 John le Brun founded the hospital of St Mary Chapel in the Fields
• 1278 The cloisters and crypt were built - the crypt remains part of the present day cellar
• 1548 The college was closed and the buildings destroyed
• 1609 The grounds were acquired by the Hobart family
• 1754 Thomas Ivory designed the Assembly House
• 1938 The building was bought by H. J. Sexton, although redevelopment had to wait until the war had ended
• 1950 Sexton presented the restored building to the city of Norwich as an arts and social centre
• April 1995 A fire swept through the building. The roof and ceilings of the entrance hall and music room were destroyed - however, much of the wooden panelling and Georgian plaster work was left in tact. Fire-fighters were able to salvage many paintings and pieces of furniture
• February 1997 After 18 months of restoration, the Assembly House reopened