Harlaxton Manor - Drawings and Plans

A collection of over 150 original plans and working drawings of Harlaxton Manor, rediscovered in the attics in May 2017. There was evidence that these had been catalogued in 1980 due to the presence of labels applied to the plans using and numbering system and reference HD, accompanied by a limited number of handwritten index cards. When discovered, the plans were in an extremely fragile and fragmented state. Deterioration has halted by storage in archival pockets to although cataloguing and photographing before relocating to a more suitable location such as Lincolnshire Archives.

A set of around 150 original building plans, diagrams, sketches and stone masons' drawings were rediscovered in the attics of Harlaxton Manor in April 2017. These appear to be actual working plans used during construction of the Manor and show the influence of Gregory Gregory throughout. The few dates which are present suggest these plans relate to the whole period of construction from Salvin in 1830s to Burn in 1850s. Unfortunately the plans are mostly in a very fragile and fragmented state.

Subsequently a list was found which gives evidence that the plans were first discovered on 21 October, 1980 in the "Plaster Room", above the former Brewery, now the kitchen. "The papers were in a relatively good condition except that they were covered in bird dirt and straw and also mice had been at them. The papers were removed from the room and were catalogued. Several were conserved for Harlaxton Manor, while the remainder were sent to the Lincoln Archives for storage as the conditions at the University were unsuitable." Unfortunately, this relocation apparently never occurred and the plans further deteriorated.

List of Harlaxton Manor Drawings and Plans

(Reference HD numbers use those found on plans applied in a previous cataloguing; HDU used where previous numbers have been lost)

Key: Reference Description; Date; Notes [Size; Condition] Link to online photograph

• HD1 Newspaper receipt: "No. 112 Wm. Gregory Williams Esq Dr. to Ann Ward in Coney-Street, York. To York Courant, for one year due July 20th 1784 £0.13s.0d. To postage £0.0s.4d. Total £0.132.4d. Received August 14 1784 the Contents above from Mrs Ward. Signed Wm. Storry" Date: August 14 1784. The York Courant was a newspaper which was produced at this date by Ann Ward from a printing press on Coney Street, York. [16.4 x 7 cm; Fair, ink fading] photograph
• HD2 Handwritten receipt. "Serlby Sept 20th 1784. Recd of Wm Gregory Williams the sum of Twelve Pounds for goods and carriage from Nottingham by me Thomas Lockwood Mark" . Date: 20th Sept 1784. Serlby Hall was the first home of William Gregory Williams and his wife Olivia. Their son Gregory was born there in 1786. [20.5 x 8 cm; 2 fragments, very fragile] photograph
• HD3 Cross section with written annotations by Gregory Gregory? 1st lay of base course? [27 x 19 cm; fair] photograph
• HD4 Richard Hornsby, Agricultural Machine Maker, and Iron and Brass Founder, Spittlegate, Grantham. Invoice to Gregory Gregory Esq. On reverse: Mr J Howlson, Harlaxton Hall 16 August 1838 [16.5 x 21 cm; fair] photograph Note: John Howlson was probably the Foreman, he is reported to have chaired the 12th annual rejoicing of the building of the Manor.
• HD5 Materials accounts, listed by month Feb-May. Abract of Ancaster Stone [21 x 34 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD6 A Layout of marble for Great Hall Floor [23 x 45 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD7 Two ink line drawings depicting two variations of metal fencing and gates. Pencil writing on reverse [23.5 x 12 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD8 not present
• HD9 Fragment of plan [20.5 max x 16 max cm]
• HD10 Small fragment, floor plan of a square shaped building, possibly gazebo? [11 x 9 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD11 Small fragment, doorway pediment [joined with HD33;13 x 15 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD12 not present
• HD13 Fragment [25 x 33 cm]
• HD14 Molding profile, pedestal base? [18.5 x 23 max cm; Fragment]
• HD15 Small sketch Lion Terrace [joined with HD132; 21 x 16 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD16 A & B in two pieces. Profile designs for door, window sill and over fire [24.5 x 16.5 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD17 not present
• HD18 Fragment of inked drawing [25 x 14 cm; Fragment] photograph
• HD19 not present
• HD20 Fragment [joined with HD41; 18.5 x 23 cm; Poor]
• HD21 Plan [27.2 x 21.5 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD22 Cross-section. Pencil diagram with measurements and annotations in ink, dated 25 May 1839. "2 of this complete except staples. The billet on under side of shoe to be 8x4 & 2 ins from point of shoe" [19.7 x 11.5 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD23 Fragment with pencil annotations. Measurements on reverse. [12 x 22.5 cm max; Poor]
• HD24 Fragment, annotated Floor level of landing [joined with HD31 and 133; 6 x 14 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD25 Fragment [10.5 x 12 cm; Poor]
• HD26 Fragment with pencil anotations of materials lists [23 max x 16.5 max cm; Poor] photograph
• HD27 not present
• HD28 Elevation of a Gazebo doorway [22 x 28.5 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD29 Fragment [31 x 18 cm max; Poor]
• HD30 Fragment of profile [20.5 max x 22.5 cm max; Very fragile] photograph
• HD31 Fragment, annotations [joined with HD24 and 133; 18 x 10 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD32 C. Saunders, 36A Sw… Daywork. Customer. Workman. Days in first column starting Wednesday Start and Finish in next two columns. Reverse: Work done. Unused Undated. C. Saunders of 36A Swinegate, Grantham were firm of Electrical Contractors who went into liquidation in 1957. [10.3 x13 cm; Fragment, torn] photograph
• HD33 not present
• HD34 Fragment: Profile of molding [21 x 20 cm; Poor]
• HD35 not present
• HD36 A Fragment - Blank; B Fragment - blank [10 x 11.5 cm; Poor]
• HD37 Fragment [36 x 17 max cm; Poor]
• HD38 Pillar sketch [16 x 20 cm; Fair, perforated for binder] photograph
• HD39 Fragment showing floor plan [joined with HD147; 27 x 20 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD40 James Hartley & Son Window Glass Manufacturer. Price list. See: http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/James_Hartley_and_Co [15.5 x 11 cm; Fair, perforated for binder] photograph
• HD41 Small fragment [joined with HD20; 9.5 x 7 cm; Poor]
• HD42 Fragment: annotated Holes to the left 2 feet wide to receive the cast iron abatement [23.5 x 21 cm max; Poor]
• HD43 Fragment [13 x 21 cm; Poor]
• HD44 Fragment [18 x 15 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD45 A&B Three cross sections, shaded blue, with annotations and dimensions. Labelled Harlaxton Manor Sept 18th 1838 ? [23 x 19 cm; Torn in half] photograph
• HD46 Fragment [20 x 24 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD47 Small construction drawings (face and reverse) [24 x 21 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD48 Fragment [15 x 8 cm; Poor]
• HD49 Handwritten in pencil, a personal letter or notes. Written on a sheet from a telephone message pad. Undated but from 1900s. Could be song lyrics by Violet Van der Elst? (Similar handwriting) Or a World War II love letter?. [18.3 x 26 cm; Hole in centre, fragile, yellowing] photograph
• HD50 Elevation of wall between gazebos? [53 x 65 cm; poor] photograph
• HD51 Elevation, arch Carriage House (side) [33 x 53 cm; fair] photograph
• HD52 Drawing [28.5 x 22.2 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD53 Drawing of gazebo pinnacle detail [45 x 57 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD54 not present
• HD55 Elevation of wall between gazebos [33 x 53 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD56Ball on gable over archway [44.5 x 28.5 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD57Cope of small pedestal at Terrace Steps [26.5 x 32.5 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD58 Elevation of an arch or niche, possibly Great Hall? [31 x 24.5cm; fair] photograph
• HD59 Floor plan of passageway from Cedar Staircase to Conservatory, by Gold Room. Small sketch of doorway with barley sugar columns. [31 x 24 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD60 Fragment, profile [22 x 6 cm; poor] photograph
• HD61A Fragment: Rear elevation [22 x 30 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD61B Fragment [30 x 11 cm max; Poor]
• HD62 Pinnacle Gazebo? [59 x 75 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD63 Profile [44 x 56 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD64 Arch detail [19 x 29 cm max; Fragments] photograph
• HD65 Floor plan - Conservatory? [30 x 50 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD66 Drawing [joined with HD74; 30 x 38 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD67 Sketches front and reverse - profiles [22 x 33 cm; fair] https://www.flickr.com/photos/harlaxtoncollegelibrary/34743550462/in/album-72157682005421260/
• HD68 Detailed elevation of stairs leading up from Entrance Hall [65 x 54 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD69 Details of panels, possibly doors on Blue Corridor [34 x 34 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD70Cope of ballustrade at terrace steps [33 x 26.5 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD71 Drawing fragment [joined with HD115 and 118; 30 x 28.5 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD72 Decoration detail Conservatory or wood panelling decoration in Great Hall? [33 x 53 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD73 Elevation of wall above Main Entrance Hall staircase and landing that leads into Dining Room [59 x 37 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD74 Large elevation on one side showing a gazebo like structure and balustrading. Annotated: 1 foot above the ground on … slope 12 feet high. Line of ground now excavated. Level of water stepped. [joined with HD66; 88 x 45 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD75 Profile [54 x 26 cm max; poor] photograph
• HD76 Stonemason's drawing, profile of pillar, with pouncing [30 x 45 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD77 Entrance Door Stag's Hall (Great Hall) [33 x 26.5cm; Fair] photograph
• HD78 not present
• HD79 Plan [33 x 52 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD80 Plan [23.5 x 63 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD81 Floor plan [32 x 26.5 cm; fair] photograph
• HD82 Profile labelled: Balluster for Terrace Steps (half size) [33 x 53 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD83 (+ HD100 ) Elevation (in fragments) [54 x 65 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD84 Plan: pillar profile [33 x 53 cm] photograph
• HD85 Profile [30 x 50 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD86 Profile of a pinnacle (half size) [57 x 54 cm; Fair]
• HD8787/89/130 Gatehouse Elevation (3 pieces) [47 x 64 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD88 not present (could be HDU16 below)
• HD89 see HD87 Gatehouse elevation
• HD90 Fragment [joined with HD54; 45 x 30 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD91 Drawing [24.5 x 30 cm; stained] photograph
• HD92 Profile [30 x 45 cm; poor]
• HD93 not present
• HD94 Elevation [34 x 19 cm; poor] photograph
• HD95 Drawings of pillar profiles front and reverse [28 x 33 cm; poor] photograph
• HD96 Fragment [joined with HD103; 59 x 22 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD97 Profiles [30 x 27 cm; poor] photograph
• HD98 not present
• HD99 Cross-section annotated with list of materials [32 x 23 cm; Poor]
• HD100 see HD83 Elevation
• HD101 Large floor plan [47 x 44 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD102 not present (see HDU7 below)
• HD103 Profile [60 x 67 cm; fair] photograph
• HD104 Plan [38 x 59 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD105 Plan annotated Stable Yard (face and reverse) (Carriage House?) [54 x 54 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD106 Large plan of a scroll profile [118 x 70 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD107 Stone mason's drawing, profile with pouncing and sketch of item finished [50 x 60 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD108 not present (see HDU 12 below)
• HD109 Profiles: Conservatory Gable N end [65 x 53 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD110 not present (see HDU10 below)
• HD111 Floor plan [33 x 43 cm; poor] photograph
• HD112 not present
• HD113 Plan labelled Harlaxton Hall 1842 annotated Iron beam [Very fragile] photograph
• HD114 Drawing with annotations. "GG" [38 x 54 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD115 State Dining Room column [33 x 38 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD116 Profile of Chimney cope [23.5 x 43 cm; fair] photograph
• HD117 Fragment [48 x 27 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD118 Fragment [38 x 45 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD119 Pounced fragment [10.5 x 17.5 cm; Poor]
• HD120 Detail of frieze, 3 variations [37 x 52 cm; Fair] https://flic.kr/p/VkFQcs
• HD121 Profile of pillar [33 x 23 cm; Fair]
• HD122 not present
• HD123 Profile [60 x 74 cm; Fair]
• HD124 Great Hall base of stone pillar at doorway [53 x 65 cm; Fair] photograph
• HD125 State Dining Room ceiling detail [58.5 x 74 cm; fair] photograph
• HD126 Profile [53 x 67 cm; fair]
• HD127 Pinnacle profile [58 x 73 cm; poor] photograph
• HD128 Stone mason's drawing [37 x 60 cm; Fair but torn] https://flic.kr/p/VkFNYW
• HD129 not present
• HD130 see HD87 Gatehouse elevation
• HD131 Fragment showing steps [43 x 39 cm; poor] photograph
• HD132 Italian Garden plan, summer house sketch [joined with HD15; 30 x 37 cm; poor] photograph
• HD133 Fragment: steps [joined with HD24 and 31; 30 x 29 cm max; Poor] photograph
• HD134 Diagrams front and reverse. Ball. [53 x 65 cm; poor] photograph
• HD135 Drawing of bracket [31 x 24.5 cm; fair] photograph
• HD136 Drawing of panelling and profiles [21 x 33.5 cm; Very fragile] photograph
• HD137 Fragment [37 x 24 cm max; Poor]
• HD138 not present
• HD139 Drawing of column profiles [37 x 54 cm; poor] photograph
• HD140 Curved fragment, stonework [30 x 50 cm; fair] photograph
• HD141 Profiles [50 x 60 cm; fair]
• HD142 Various drawings, barley sugar twisted columns [57 x 74 cm; poor] photograph
• HD143 Large full size stone mason's diagram [53 x 130 cm; poor] photograph
• HD144 and HD145 join together to form stonemason's diagram, pounced in places, of column. Annotated Stag's Hall (Great Hall column) [32 x 53 total with HD145; Poor] photograph
• HD145 Fragment, with pouncing, joins HD144 Great Hall column, see above [33 x24 cm; Poor]
• HD146 Fragment [33 x 27 cm; Poor]
• HD147 Fragment in two halves [32 x 30 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD148 Fragment [36 x 33 cm; poor]
• HD149 not present
• HD150 Profile (full size) [100 x 58 cm; Poor] photograph
• HD151 not present
• HD152 Profile [55 x 73 cm; Fair]
• HD153 Fragment [44 x 18 cm max; Poor]
• HD154 Profile [45 x 56 cm; Poor]
• HD155 Fragment [27 x 30 cm; poor]
• HD156 Fragment [28 x 30 max cm; Poor]
• HDU1 Plan and profile of pillar and scroll working plan with dimensions [31 x24.3 cm max; Poor, very fragile] photography
• HDU2 Fragment [16.5 x 7 cm; Poor]
• HDU3 Fragmented drawing [51.5 x 50 cm; Poor]
• HDU4 Fragment [37 x 20 cm max; Poor]
• HDU5 Large drawing, fragmented [53 x 66 cm; Poor]
• HDU6 Large drawing, cross-section of archway, fragmented [53 x 53 cm; Poor] photograph
• HDU7 Large plan showing Front Circle and side lawn area of garden [75 x 55 cm; Poor] photograph Scale: 3/8 inch to 10 feet
• HDU8 Very fragmented [30 x 42 cm max; Very poor] photograph
• HDU9 Fragment: stonework window detailing [21 x 31 cm; Poor] photograph
• HDU10 Front Circle layout drawing, annotated April, 1851 [60 x 48 cm; Poor] photograph
• HDU11 Pinnacle [Fair] photograph
• HDU12 Conservatory North Gable (full size) [58 x 75 cm; Fair]
• HDU13 Circular design [112 x 48 cm; poor] photograph
• HDU14 Profile, labelled York stone Hard stone York Carving ? [53 x 60 cm; poor] photograph
• HDU15 Pilaster profile and stone decoration [33 x 60 cm; poor] photograph
• HDU16 Elevation of Front Entrance Door [33 x 53 cm; poor]
• HD157 Catalogue numbering for the documents and drawings of the house and grounds that were found in a loft above the Brewery (now the kitchen) on 21st October 1980. [4 x copies of 1980 cataloguing list; 1 copy in Map Chest; scanned on MRD]

By appointment only

HD157 Catalogue numbering for the documents and drawings of the house and grounds that were found in a loft above the Brewery (now the kitchen) on 21st October 1980. [4 x copies of 1980 cataloguing list; 1 copy in Map Chest]

Photographs available on Flickr Harlaxton Manor Plans

Added by Linda Dawes, College Librarian, June 2017

By permission only

By dates on some of the items these are the original plans presumably drawn by architects, builders, stone masons and the owner, Gregory Gregory.

Map chest, Archives Room