Where is Shakespeare's Birthplace located?
Shakespeare's Birthplace is located on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. It is a restored 16th-century half-timbered house now open to the public as a museum.
Questions about Shakespeare's Birthplace
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When was Shakespeare's Birthplace listed as a Grade I building?
Shakespeare's Birthplace was designated a Grade I listed building on the 25th of October 1951. This is the highest level of historic protection available in England.
Who owns and manages Shakespeare's Birthplace?
Shakespeare's Birthplace is owned and managed by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The Trust was established by a local act of Parliament after a fundraising campaign in the 1840s purchased the property for £3,000.
Did P. T. Barnum really try to buy Shakespeare's Birthplace?
Yes. The American showman P. T. Barnum proposed to buy Shakespeare's Birthplace and ship it brick by brick to the United States when the property came up for sale in 1846. His proposal helped galvanise the Shakespeare Birthday Committee, which raised £3,000 and bought the house in 1847.
What was John Shakespeare's occupation at the Henley Street house?
John Shakespeare, William's father, was a glove maker and wool dealer. The house was originally divided into two parts so he could conduct his business from the same premises where his family lived.
Which famous writers signed the walls and windows of Shakespeare's Birthplace?
Lord Byron, Alfred Lord Tennyson, John Keats, and William Thackeray signed the guest registry book, while Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Scott, Thomas Carlyle, and Isaac Watts were among those who autographed the walls and windows. Many signatures on the windowpanes survive to this day.