Renovating my Ancestors' Abandoned Castle | Phase 2 Before & After
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
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To order my book DOWNTON SHABBY: www.HopwoodXIV.com
For more info on the project: www.HopwoodXIV.com
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Twitter: / hopwoodxiv
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Additional thanks:
Carl Goldberg
Seven Architecture
Restoration Projects
WELCOME to Hopwood Hall Estate (AKA "Downton Shabby") in Middleton, England.
This channel follows the unexpected adventures of American Hopwood DePree who, whilst living in Los Angeles, traced his family tree online, and discovered his abandoned 60-room ancestral home "Hopwood Hall Estate" that dates back to 1426! Hopwood was informed that if he didn't do something very soon to save the Hall, it would be lost forever. So he packed his bags and left LA to take on the madcap challenge of his life with a passionate team of supporters and community volunteers, in England.
We share the ups & downs, failures & triumphs of this group effort DIY rescue emergency: learning new skills, discovering house & garden secrets and seeking the inspirations that will be needed to get this Estate back onto her feet once again!
Thank you to all our Patreons, Friends and Supporters who have decided to come along on the ride with us as we transform this irreplaceable British treasure back to her original grandeur! It may take us some time, but we embrace it, as the fun is in the process!! We hope you agree and that you will gain as much from watching the journey as we are experiencing it - and do feel free to contact us via the comments section below.
If you would like to become a Patreon of this channel and receive exclusive perks and content, we'll be delighted - please click here: / hopwoodxiv
#hopwood #hopwooddepree #hopwoodhallestate #castlerestoration #homerestoration #restoration #restorationvideos #britishhistory #englishhistory #rochdale #renovation #heritage #genealogy #ancestors #ancestry
Chapter Times - "Renovating my Ancestors' Castle!":
00:00 - The Story So Far
01:33 - Running Out Of Time!
02:18 - A New Blank Canvas
03:26 - The Transformation - Servant's Wing
04:11 - 1940s and 1960s Construction
05:04 - Mortar Samples
06:32 - Roofing Slates
08:20 - Sourcing the Stones
09:13 - Linseed Paint
10:10 - Fascia Board Painting
11:00 - Back To The Roof
11:36 - Construction Challenges and Obstacles
13:34 - A Small But Important Task - The Wall!
15:30 - Historic Furniture
17:25 - New Security
18:00 - Steel Beam - A Spine of the Hall
19:05 - Lord Byron Walkway - Connecting the Hall
22:11 - The Transformation - New Mortar
23:54 - The Transformation - New Roof
26:18 - The Hall's Character
27:00 - The Next Phase!
27:39 - Conclusion
These restoration of old manors, convents, castles and industrial buildings are important not only for historical conservation and cultural iconography but to preserve the trades of all those who built these structures and to the history of people who worked there. I hope you succeed in finding a profitable way to continue your work and create a sustainable legacy
Thank you so much!
Also These old buildings have style and class unlike 99% of contemporary architecture.
It looks like hell the old mainstream people did it before must be turning in their graves definitely looks like volunteers did it
@@HopwoodXIV
You are just so cute! The DNA sure did land in the right place. What a project. Looks great.
My ancestors were the Strachans (Sterling), Ramsey's (Dollhouse).....
Wish I could find an old castle to fix up. Lol
@@user-ii4zf5iq3t haha thank you so much! Very interesting about your ancestors. Great to know you are watching!
I can’t believe this is the same hall that was shown on tv over 5 years ago, I thought it was an impossible task. However your determination, and dedication to the hall has proved invaluable. Thank you for the update on the hall, I can’t wait to visit it again in the near future . Well done Hopwood you are amazing. You will belong in the history of the hall along with your many ancestors.
😀 Thank you Sandra!
Always nice to see someone cherish their ancestry and honor old world values.
Thank you!
You stopped your Ancestors from ROLLING IN THEIR GRAVES!!!! GOOD THING YOU SAVE THE CASTLE!!!
Your ancestors must be beaming with pride and joy…well done❤
Thanks Rebecca!
Great work by everyone concerned.What a wonderful building and thank God you came here to rescue the Hall, Hopwood.
Thanks Ros- it's amazing to have you be part if it!!
@@HopwoodXIV It's great to be involved and thank you so very much Hopwood for allowing me to be along with you on this journey 💖
Gosh, Hopwood, this is amazing! Congratulations! So much work has been done, and I'd bet your ancestors are throwing a party in the heavens above you! One person CAN make a difference! You've proven that clearly enough.
Hahaha Thanks so much TJ please know that but I've had so much amazing help and encouragement from our supporters, our heritage team and of course the incredibly passionate community that keep us going everyday! 😀❤
I hope you are going to create a full length documentary series on this renovation to sell to a television or streaming service.
Thanks Elizabeth- yes hopefully we will!
@@HopwoodXIV The BBC ought to be on this.
@@Django44 That would be amazing
@@HopwoodXIV oooh I would love to see that too! I've been following the journey since your book came out
Would love to see more of the actual work being done on this incredible building
I take my hat off to this Fella, one thing to have the funds, but another to actually stay there and be part of the project. I'm joining this story late but can't wait to start at the beginning of his journey. I can already see how much work was needed just to get to square one!
Thank you! Great to have you on the adventure with us!
What a huge project. The roof was so essential.
Yes we are so happy to get to this point!
I agree with you that the beige gritty mortar is the best
Thanks John! Good to know!
I SO appreciate preservation. You are a TRUE preservationist. Bravo: well done!
Thanks Preston!
Hopwood, you are a legend. You and the community are awesome for the restoration. Saving buildings is way better than being wasteful and just throwing them away.
Thanks so much Eve!
So happy to see renovation work like this, people should know their roots, and not just Hopwood XIV, but we should too. Our European tribes from the historic past go back millennium and these old building are part of our heritage. Well done Hopwood XIV. God bless you.
Thanks Marten- great to hear from you
Absolutely beautiful workmanship on the roof, brickwork, structural reconstruction, Lord Byron’s stairway foot flooring.. just an all-around super job by each who’s contributed their time, talents & passion. Can’t wait to see Phase 3 begin! Bravo Hopwood! ✨
Thanks MJ!!
How do you only have 22k subscribers, good Lord where is everyone? This is the best story of the 21st century so far!
Haha amazing to hear! We're so happy the channel is growing. Thank you for watching and spreading the word! 😀
I'm always utterly amazed at the courage people have to take on these restorations. I literally get anxious just watching what these people and the homes go through. BRAVO to your spirit and determination in returning this piece of history to all of us.
Thanks Chelsea! 😄
So, essentially, you are a director of innovation in industry and architecture, a visionary with the ability to bring diverse systems together for benefit others. You deserve the immense sense of satisfaction and pride that you’ve brought about. You are, as we said in Kansas where I grew up, “good people”!
Haha cheers Ralph!
Ralph, you might want to consider resume writing!
Excellent choice on the mortar, it really looks like it has been there a century. Love seeing grand buildings like this preserved. Your determination is admirable.
Thank you!
Historical architecture is truly just something else all the little details and craftsmanship skills to create a house at this scale is amazing ... I love finding new channels of people bring these places back to life
Thank you! Great to know you're watching!
I'm a native of Heywood (born 1957) and now live in Germany. I remember seeing Hopwood Hall marked on maps as a listed building, but I never actually saw it (it probably wasn't really worth seeing by then anyway). I grew up on a farm that was roofed with stone flags like the Hall. It's great to see what you're doing. All the best to you and your team.
Thanks for watching Robert- great to hear from you! Actually the Hall didn't fall into disrepair until it was attacked by vandals in the 1990s
Glad this beautiful building is being saved.
cheers JoNeil!
The is so exciting to see another beautiful building filled with history saved for the future.
Thank you!
It's a beautiful building and it's amazing what you've done to raise it from the ruins. Luckily there are people who save these magnificent historic buildings before they are completely destroyed. Great respect for you.
Thank you so much! We really appreciate the support!
Thank you for caring and renovating this beautiful house. I remember it well when I was a child, and it was terrible that it deteriorated. Thank you for saving it.
😀❤
I can empathize; I'm building a house right now. He is cheery in the video but I can tell you that it takes an unbelievable amount of patience and stamina to take on a project like this. And it takes over your life completely, and for years!
Yes a big challenge for sure for both of us but it will be worth it in the end. I hope things are moving along well with building your house!
I loved hearing from the professionals working on this historic building. Thank you for this extra long video! Congratulations to everyone for getting so far on your journey.
Thanks Kimberly! 😀
What an amazing accomplishment. You should all be very proud of yourselves! I look forward to more restoration videos in the future. Well done!
Thanks Polly!!
When I was a student at the college I would go there at lunchtime to relax. You are doing a great thing, it looks fantastic. Thank you and everyone else involved.
Thanks Alistair!
So lovely to see, what an achievement, the roof and chimneys are stunning❤
Everyone has worked so hard, you must all be so proud, simply wonderful!!! Thank you so much for sharing.All take care xx
Great to hear - thank you so much Samantha!
What a work of art that roof is. You are doing the work for the family you will never meet. It’s such a worthy romantic and are I saw spiritual job.
❤ Thank you Marcia!
This is exquisite work. I'm so impressed by your passion for the house and for it's original materials. You're blessed to have found such competent and dedicated craftspeople and you should be proud of keeping these skills alive. Hopefully apprentices and volunteers can learn from the process of the restoration of the house to maintain these skills for the future. This must be one of the most ambitious renovation projects in the UK-it's a huge undertaking. Everyone involved should be commended for their efforts. Delightful!
Thank you! Yes we plan to continue offering training of heritage skills throughout the project!
@@HopwoodXIV awesome!
PS: It might rain a wee bit in Manchester, but doesn't it reveal the brick and slate colour just beautifully (as well as keeping the grass and hills beyond a picture-book green) :))
Yes so true! 😀
What a legacy!!!! Beyond wonderful!!
Thank you Susan!!
This is so cool. I grew up renovating an old house in Sydney. Nothing near as big as this. It was built in the late 1700s. But the history of the place is astonishing.
Wow sounds amazing!
So sad to see such an old building rotting away.
I have big respect for people who dare to take on such a big task/project.
cheers- great to know you are watching!
Thanks. You should consider hiring a young vlogger to do weekly updates. You could generate money and interest. I would love the see more detail of the restoration process
Thanks Bob - we do release about two videos a week on Patreon.com if you'd like to join us there
Me also
Everyone is doing a fantastic job. Love the roof work. So nice to get the building dry. Love the chimneys, so much better without the tree! Can't wait till we have a working fireplace and see smoke coming out of the chimney. The long gallery, looking forward to seeing. It's lovely to see our heritage getting the care and love it needs. Wish more period buildings were saved.
Thanks so much James! cheers
All I can say is WOW! Glad the funds are available to restore such a beautiful part of history!
Thanks Randy!
Can’t believe you move from sunny California to the British weather 😂 just come across your channel, watch allot of chateaux restoration, this property isn’t far from me so looking forward to seeing what you do here. Thank you for using your time and effort to save these stunning buildings 😁
Thanks so much! 😀
This is really splendid what Hopwood and his team have achieved.
Thank you!
Just found your channel. I am amazed at how much progress you have made! It's a beautiful home, I can't wait to see it finished. As you know nothing like this here in the States. Amazing what your doing!!!
Thanks Vonda!!
Hello, I am super happy that you are renovating mansions, Victorian houses since they are a cultural heritage of each country and it is a relic of the past, God bless you infinitely 🥰🥰🥰
Thank you Claudia!
I never understood why people vandalize abandoned places it doesn't make any sense at all! I'm so happy to see this beautiful building being saved!
Thank you!
Absolutely fantastic! It's crazy that it's taking so long, yet it's crazy that you have revived so much already. If I lived closer, I know what I would dedicate my time to. Well done Hopwood, you should be very proud.
Thank you Amanda! 😀
Going to be a work of art when this beauty is restored back to life once more! Never more proud of you Hoppy! 💙
Thanks so much!
It is wonderful to see this beautiful old castle being restored. I just love the slate roofing. It must feel wonderful to see a part of your heritage being restored. England's history being restored as well.
Thank you Dorothy! Great to know you are watching!
What an immense task, even for ssuch a large team
So much has been accomplished. I remember watching the early videos and thinking how happy and appreciative someone decided to try to save Hopwood Hall. I had my doubts on how successful the efforts would be considering all the work needed. Now I have no doubts Hopwood Hall will be saved. Maybe someday I will make over to see the Hall. You and everyone deserves a huge pat on the back. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much! Yes we look forward to one day being able to welcome visitors to see the finished Hall!
Goodness me, Hopwood. It`s been a minute since I last saw the progress you and your team have made. Well done to you. It really looks astonishing from the early days of your project. I think you`re amazing. 🙂
😀 Thanks Demelza!! 😀
Oh boy! What a fantastic restoration. I love seeing projects like this, if only these houses could talk.
😀 Thank you! Great to know you're watching!
You had me at "frost testing roof tile slate on the moors for two winters."
🤣❤
Outstanding achievements so far. Your passion and enthusiasm spreads freely to the people. Keep up the great work!
Thank you!!
what a fab story and I am so glad I found this!! I really wish you all the luck and hope you get this back up to point again!!!
Thank you so much Jon!!
Im so happy to see that a historic home is being upgraded. I hope you live there when its restored.
Thanks Janet!
I appreciate the work to restore another historic building. Praying you can make it financially self-sustaining and open for the public to enjoy as well.
I am wondering if you can install "Bat Boxes" under several of the eaves to give them a place to nest after the mansion is sealed up? This will keep ecologists happy and allow them to naturally control the insects in the area.
Thank you! Yes indeed we are building in places that they can nest as that is one of our requirements
I’m so glad I found your channel this morning. Well done and really top quality work there. It’s not everyone who can see past the time it takes to complete a monumental job like this. Well done you.
Thank you! We're so glad you found us too!
Absolutely wonderful. I don't know your story but what you are doing to honour your ancestors is very moving. As an Englishman, I'm delighted you are saving a piece of our history. Sadly we don't have the money and resources to save many historic buildings and many were lost in 20th century. It wasn't until around the 1960s that they realised how many wonderful stately homes were being bulldozed that the laws were changed to protect them.
I am an American and I’ve never been to England and I really hope that one day I can do that. I hate to think that people are trying to destroy these gorgeous (historical) English homes. Sadly, they’re also trying to destroy the historical culture of England as well. It’s good to know that at least there is something being done to preserve the homes. Hopefully there’ll be a preservation of the culture as a result.
Oh goodness what a huge job this is on so many levels.
I just found your channel and I am amazed, best word I can think of. I get stuck on things like you saying this clock is from 1699 and people heard that same ring as we are now and I just can’t help but stop and think how crazy that is. I am someone that can get lost down a rabbit hole really quick lol thank you so much for sharing and I am looking forward to everything that you’re doing.
Thanks so much Shawna- great to have you along! 😀
This is wonderful news! Congrats 🎉🎉🎉. All the best
Thanks Virginia!!
@@HopwoodXIV, Your welcome & thanks for ❤️ me!
I’m immediately following you as we’ve been renovating an old long cottage in western Brecon Beacons and been learning about lime mortar over 17 years 😂😂…and the colour / grit etc of the pointing! I think you’ve picked the right colour ⭐️….its a lifetime passion…if you’re in our area pop in @The wildman woods or stay in the river camp …
What an amazing place you’ve inherited ❤
Thanks Rebecca! Great to hear from you! 😀
cudos to you great to see an old historic building being saved so many have been lost hopefully you will find a way that it pays for its own upkeep into the future
I recently found out I am of nearly 100% British decent. From what I've been able to learn, my ancestors were from the Chedworth area and were quite well off. Going to try to get there one day. Would be cool to walk through the doors of the Church of St. Andrew knowing they once did as well.
Hi Kevin - yes that's amazing! Keep going- I think you'll find it to be a very enlightening adventure!
Brilliant work by all of the team and so great that you have made this update vid! - The Hall is coming on really nicely and you're becoming quite the conservation expert! It's also good to see Bob again - where's he beeeeen? :))
cheers Linda! 😀
I googled hopwoof hall and my oh my what a gem. I'm about to watch your videos and all that but let me give my compliments from the fire as it were. You Sir, really saved a bit of fine crafted architecture from rack and ruin and that's fantastic. From the nineteen fifties until now so many of your fellow owners of these places either couldn't or wouldn't do the same. It's nice to see the survivors.
Thanks Josh!
That CLOCK~~!! Wow. Love this progress video. Thank you!!! Who needs HGTV... we've got HOPWOOD HALL progress to watch!!!
Thanks Deb!! ❤❤😀
I was watching and thinking of the original builders, who lifted and carried everything by hand. They would have been open mouthed in delight and astonishment by all the machines. I’m so happy watching programming like this. You are doing an amazing job. It wil be good for another 500 years!🎉🎉🎉
P.S. I love the way you call the ordinary bad weather “severe”. Good job the Hall wasn’t in Scotland eh?
Haha thanks Amanda!
i can only imagine all the red tape to get through with a grade listed building it's frustrating . The roof tiles 2 years on the moors wow , your doing great keep up the good work 💪. One day when it's finished and you sit there nothing left to do you will ask yourself how did i manage could i do again ,i'll ask you that when finished 🙂
Thanks Kath!!
The new roof looks amazing! Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see the library😊
Thanks Emily!
We normally explore these old site , glad to see one rescued, would love to come and film a bit or a tour round . all best with this hope it all works out
Thank you!
Your ancestors would be very proud of your work. The rest of us can only admire your energy, drive and determination. This is educational and inspiring. Good luck and keep the videos coming please, and when can we buy the first tickets to visit the newly opened Hopwood Hall?!?!
Thank you! Yes we will be having a few more open days this year and hope to be open for regular tours in 2024. We'll definitely be posting more information on our website as we progress if you would like to sign up for updates www.HopwoodHallEstate.com
What a gorgeous estate…I hope you are able to retain ownership of it again.
Thanks Charles!
I used play around there when I was a child. My great grandfather was the game keeper for the estate. He and his family lived in hatters cottage near the Heywood entrance
Amazing! If you have any old photographs or documents we would love to scan them and include them in the archives so that people will know the stories for generations to come
I don't know if you're already doing this, but some segments on how to do some of these things and more info on historical things like the paint and lime mortar. I have a 130 year old house and struggle with maintenance because of ignorance to what should be done.
Thank you, I asked a while ago how is the roof repairs coming along, boy oh boy you answered that question with this video. I am so happy for you and all who are friends of Hopwood Hall. I once told you that you found your life's work by restoring and maintaining the Hall, you must be feeling a sense of accomplishment. My next question is for Bob, is he glad he found you in America and asked you to get involved? Can he see the progress yet or does he only look ahead of what is next on the list? I applaud all the craftmen and workers for their excellent skills and labor.
Great to hear from you! I'll have to ask Bob the questions. Yes all the craftspeople and workers have been amazing!
Amazing work! Love watching your videos of all the progress you’ve made!
Thanks Natalie!!
You are a soldier…that’s a project. I can’t imagine trying to restore such a beast and beauty.
cheers Michael!
There is nothing better than a substantial and elegant (and old!) Grandfather Clock. We always had a gothic revival one in our house in the dining room and it added mystique and solemnity to a Southern California 1950s ranch home that had, for whatever reason, nice built-in wood cabinetry (not the usual cheap Brady Bunch paneling), wood ceiling beams, blue and white French wallpaper of a pastoral scene of hop bines and peasants, and diamond-pane windows in the bay windows. One could see the clock standing tall from way across the home with the partially-open floor plans. A veritable sentinel of memories for 3 decades of dinners with 2 hard working parents and 5 kids. It had nice deep chime and bong one could hear spookily down the back hallway at night.
That 1699 treasure of a clock hopefully will last to 2699! Thank God there are Donors who are so kind-hearted. It really fits in well with the whole plan!
Wow love hearing your memories! Thank you!
Maybe there's another video, but I'm curious how you bought or inherited it, and how you got the money to repair it. I am a contractor and I have some similar historic projects I'm interested in and I love this kind of stuff so I appreciate your content.
Brilliant Congratulations on second phases
Thanks Chriss!
@@HopwoodXIV I hope someone is sleeping in hall at night and love the cameras I would wire all the metal handles and catches and fence to the electrics and that should stop thieves
Wow. A proper renovation by knowledgeable people truly sympathetic to the building.
😀
Here in Greece, our small country cottage-by-the sea has been renovated with mainly Lyme to deal with any Moisture issues. It is a wonderful feeling when you properly restore and renovate what you've inherited as did my husband.
Thanks Sophia! Would love to see pics of your project!
Really great to see that you're doing well and getting so much done, I was a little concerned as I hadn't seen any new posts on any of your various social media accounts! I hope everything continues smoothly as you prepare to welcome the bats back home!
cheers Bruce! Yes we will keep posting as often as we can! Thank you
@@HopwoodXIV Find any more beehives, LOL?🐝
Absolutely amazing! I enjoyed every second of the video. The progress that has been made is incredible. Looking forward to more videos. Well done!♥️
Thank you!!
Hopefully one day we will see the Hall in all her beauty in an Historical film as a film set ,it sure would help with the upkeep..It's going to and looks amazing with what you've and the team has managed to do..
Thank you! Yes we would love that!
Fantastic restoration 😊❤
Nice to see a piece of history restored and not knocked down like so much of Manchester.
Thanks so much Robert! 😄
Amazing progress! Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Thanks Linda!
I just think it is so wonderful, you have the financial means to travel back to England and restore your ancient family home. You are doing a wonderful job and have some fantastically talented people helping you. Personally, I don't think I could live in a foreign country; especially coming from the Los Angeles area like you do. I suppose if you came from the East Coast, it would be a lot easier.
Thanks David! Great to know you're watching!
Just found this channel and recognised the hall. I remember being shown about the hall by relative who used to work for the college about 25 years ago. It was not in great condition then, but to see it being restored is incredible.
Thanks! Great to know you're watching!
What a beautiful building. Thank you for saving it. 🙏❤️
😀❤
So much exciting progress Hopwood over 5 years to date! Do you plan to install a complete new HVAC system, or is "historic coal burning" coming back to those renovated beautiful fireplaces throughout the hall? Richard
Hi Richard - we will be putting in an entire new heating system but are still in the process of determining exactly what type of source it will be and how we will do it while maintaining the historic fabric of the Hall. In addition we also hope to get the fireplaces working again as well.
@@HopwoodXIV Please don't cover your beautiful new slate roof with 5000 solar panels...might detract from the historic 16th-17th century restoration look! Anyway, far more rain than sun in that part of England! ;-)
@@napili00 haha yes I hear you. I'm not sure if that would even be allowed but we love the roof so it will be another way of doing it
AMAZEBALLS!!! Who owns Hopwood Hall?
Hey Paige, thanks so much for your question! We've just answered this question and more in our latest video!! 😁 - ua-cam.com/video/DNQ2SmZs8nQ/v-deo.html
@@HopwoodXIV YAY! I watched it and thanks for the clarity--Awesome! 😁
I am simply loving this restoration
Thank you! Glad to have you along with us on the journey!
This is, absolutely, wonderful, that you're renovating your Family Home. It's beautiful!!!
Thanks so much Joyce!
@@HopwoodXIV I think about the two brothers who dIed in WWI; not to mention the staff. It's as though they reached out to you to restore, and continue, the Hopwood legacy that is your heritage, and that of the community the Hopwoods cared about, for centuries. It's amazing!
Since moving to England have you met any distant relatives?
Did you actually believe him?
“His grandfather told him stories about the hall, but he didn’t know if it was real, but then he found it. Im willing to bet that he actually changed his name to match the name of the Hall to further give some weird legitimacy. America’s full of these George Santos types.
Looks fantastic doing great and I 70yrs old keep going looking great
Thanks Mandy! Will do!
I wish I did this to my second great grandparents house in Seville, Spain they were wealthy. They didn't live in a castle though. So happy you did this ❤
I went to Hopwood Hall college and I had no idea there was an estate further down the road. Great to see you restoring to it’s former glory and keeping it in your family!
Thanks Sadie!
The hall is right next to the former college chapel, designed by Frederick Gibberd and resembling his Catholic cathedral in Liverpool. A lot of the present college buildings date from the time when the De La Salle brothers owned the hall and used it as a teacher training college. The hall and the college only got separated after Rochdale council took over.
it makes my heart so happy to see an piece
of history brought back to life again,keep it going!!!
Thank you Robin! 😀