What's On!

 Top Ten Objects 

 Questions & Answers 

 Visit
 

Hollytrees Museum

Questions and Answers

This Q&A section contains frequently asked questions about the Museum, its contents and related history.

1. Who originally built Hollytrees?

The house was built for Elizabeth Cornelisen in 1718 who died the year after it was built and left to her niece, Sarah Creffeild.

2. Why is it called Hollytrees?

It is called Hollytrees because of the two holly trees planted by Charles Gray in 1729.

3. Is there a ghost in Hollytrees?

There have been many sightings that cannot be explained and many of the staff have reported hearing footsteps and piano playing accompanied by wafts of perfume. If there is a ghost we don't know who she (all sightings refer to a woman) is or why she has chosen Hollytrees. She is certainly not malevolent and seems quite content to wander around the house.

4. When did the house become a museum?

It became a museum in 1929.

5. What is Palladian?

Palladian is a style of architecture developed in Italy in the 16th century by an architect called Andrea Palladio. He was inspired by the design and symmetry of surviving Roman buildings. The Palladian style became very popular in Britain in the early 18th century and Hollytrees is a good example.

6. Are there any nursery rhymes connected with Colchester?

Yes, there are two.

Old King Cole is based on a mediaeval story which tried to explain how Colchester got its name and why there are Roman ruins in the town. In the legend, a king called Coel ruled Colchester and had a daughter called Helena who was the mother of the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine the Great. The legend is also the reason why St Helena is the patron saint of Colchester.