The White House

Frank Brookhouse Dunkerley designed the White House in 1914 for Will Melland, a prominent member of Manchester City Council. The family owned a large textile manufacturing business, but Will devoted his time to the public sector, and was involved in several organisations including the Manchester and Salford Playing Fields Society, the Ardwick Lads and Men’s Club, and the Smoke Abatement League, of which he became national president. The house comprises two storeys and is in the shape of a letter E rotated through 90 degrees.

Accommodation originally comprised entrance hall, lounge hall, music-room, dining-room, small drawing-room, kitchen, two pantries, larder, five bedrooms and two bathrooms. There were also two bedrooms and a bathroom for maids. Outbuildings included a large garage, chauffeur’s room, wood store and two conservatories. The grounds consisted of five acres of land and included a hard tennis court. There were several owners after Melland, including Philip Godlee, the Chairman of the Hallé Concerts Society, and during his residency the Barbirollis* often visited and performed in the ground-floor music room. In the 1950s the house was bought by the Church of the Nazarene, became a theological college, and has remained as such up to the present day.

(The above information courtesy of Neil Darlington)

*Sir John Barbirolli was for many years conductor of the Hallé orchestra.

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