Longwood House
The property known as Longwood House began its life as a farm owned by the East India Company. It served as a country residence for the Deputy-Governor of Saint Helena before Napoleon ever set foot on the island. Historical records from William Hazlitt's Life of Napoleon confirm this agricultural origin in volume 6, page 13. The British government eventually recognized the building was inadequate for housing the former emperor and his entourage. By the time of his death, they had constructed a new house nearby that he never occupied. This original structure stood ready to be converted for Napoleon's use starting in 1815.
Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at Longwood House on the 10th of December 1815 to begin his final exile. He lived there until his death on the 5th of May 1821 while holding the title of Emperor of the French. The climate proved harsh with strong winds battering the structure daily. Governor Sir Hudson Lowe proposed moving him to Rosemary Hall in February 1818 because it offered sheltered shade. General Gourgaud later revealed details in London that changed Lord Bathurst's mind about relocation plans. The decision to keep Napoleon at Longwood made escape attempts significantly harder to execute. A new house construction only began in October 1818 after three years of his arrival.
Tensions rose between Napoleon and Governor Sir Hudson Lowe over living conditions and security measures. Lowe suggested transferring the exiled leader to Rosemary Hall which sat in a more hospitable part of the island. The location offered protection from prevailing winds and provided shaded areas as Napoleon had requested. However, reports from General Gourgaud reached London and influenced Lord Bathurst's perspective on safety protocols. The British government decided keeping Napoleon at Longwood was safer for preventing any potential escape. This political standoff shaped the daily reality of the former emperor during his last six years. The building of a replacement house started too late to benefit Napoleon before he died.
Negotiations initiated by Napoleon III in 1854 led to the formal transfer of the estate to France. The French government purchased Longwood House along with the Valley of the Tomb for £7,100 in 1858. Ownership has remained under the control of the French Foreign Ministry since that transaction date. A French government representative now lives on the island to manage both properties directly. In 1959 Dame Mabel Brookes donated a third property called The Briars to the French government. This site marks where Napoleon spent his first two months before Longwood was fully prepared for occupancy.
Michel Dancoisne-Martineau later donated Waterfall Valley to the Saint Helena National Trust in 2006.
Structural decay caused by termites threatened the building during the 1940s prompting serious consideration of demolition. New Longwood and Balcombe's house at The Briars were demolished at this time due to extensive damage. Longwood House itself survived these destructive forces and underwent restoration efforts by recent French curators. Only the stone steps at the front remain as part of the original fabric from the early 19th century. The preservation work ensured the survival of this historic residence despite decades of environmental assault. Modern maintenance continues to protect the structure against further natural degradation over time.
Longwood
House currently operates as a museum owned by the French government and administered by Saint Helena Napoleonic Heritage Ltd. This non-profit company manages public access to the site alongside other local attractions like the Museum of Saint Helena. It stands as one of only two museums on the island dedicated to preserving regional history. Visitors can explore the grounds while learning about Napoleon's final years through guided interpretation. The property remains under active management with representatives residing locally to oversee daily operations. Its status ensures continued protection for future generations interested in imperial exile history.
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Common questions
When did Napoleon Bonaparte arrive at Longwood House?
Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at Longwood House on the 10th of December 1815 to begin his final exile. He lived there until his death on the 5th of May 1821 while holding the title of Emperor of the French.
Who owned Longwood House before it became Napoleon's residence?
The property known as Longwood House began its life as a farm owned by the East India Company. It served as a country residence for the Deputy-Governor of Saint Helena before Napoleon ever set foot on the island.
Why was Napoleon Bonaparte kept at Longwood House instead of moving him elsewhere?
Reports from General Gourgaud reached London and influenced Lord Bathurst's perspective on safety protocols regarding relocation plans. The British government decided keeping Napoleon at Longwood was safer for preventing any potential escape attempts.
How much did the French government pay for Longwood House in 1858?
The French government purchased Longwood House along with the Valley of the Tomb for £7,100 in 1858. Ownership has remained under the control of the French Foreign Ministry since that transaction date.
What happened to the original structure of Longwood House during the 1940s?
Structural decay caused by termites threatened the building during the 1940s prompting serious consideration of demolition. Only the stone steps at the front remain as part of the original fabric from the early 19th century after restoration efforts.